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ESRiver to try to turn the series around at home Marcelo Gallardo’s team had a few chances against Velez, but the home team won the first leg of the CONMEBOL Libertadores Round of 16 thanks to a penalty goal by Lucas Janson.
Feeling the rush of playing a CONEBOL Libertadores play-off round once again, River and Velez measured up against each other in the starting minutes. River had the first scoring opportunities: Enzo Fernandez made his way quickly up the rival side of the field and struck a powerful shot that went just high over Lucas Hoyos’s goal. On another chance, Julian Alvarez struck a shot on goal off a good combination play, but the home keeper saved his shot.
Later, off a long-range pass, David Martinez committed a foul on Lucas Janson, who took the penalty, setting the score at 1-0. Focused on keeping control of the game, River went looking for the draw. The team had a few chances to even the score during the first half, at the feet of Braian Romero in the box. Julian also struck a shot on goal off a pass from Jose Paradela, but his right-footed smash was saved by Hoyos.
Although River was dominating at the beginning of the second half, Lucas Pratto had an unbeatable opportunity to widen the lead, but his shot was deflected when Armani came off his line. Gallardo looked for alternatives in the back up players, but the home team closed up the defense. Running up the field, Martinez tried to score from outside the box, but his left-footed shot went just wide of the goal.
Velez gained momentum and had two very clear scoring opportunities. However, Armani outdid himself and made a spectacular save on Abiel Osorio’s shot. In the final minutes, River pressed Velez and was close to evening the score, but Julian’s shot from outside the box was saved by the keeper. The second-leg match will take place in a week at the Mâs Monumental Stadium; it is worth noting that away goals will no longer be used as a tiebreaker.
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