Despite having many chances to score, River drew 0-0 with Santa Fe El Millonario was far superior in Asunción, with many chances to score and two shots against the posts. Despite the draw, it’s still topping Group D, tied on points with Fluminense.

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Hoping to claim all three points to be better positioned in the group, River Plate visited Independiente Santa Fe in Asunción. After a start with few dangerous situations, el Millonario was in control of the ball most of the time and the attack started quickly. The first attempt consisted of a cross from Gonzalo Montiel that didn’t reach Federico Girotti. Then, Leonardo Ponzio fired a long-range shot, but Leandro Castellanos saved it.

Santa Fe’s defense was cumbersome and River tried to take advantage of that. The best collective move was a connecting play between David Martínez and Casco, by means of a through ball that reached Girotti, who left it to Benjamín Rollheiser coming up through the heart of the box: the youth player kicked the ball straight away, but his shot smashed against the rival goal’s right post.

Right away, el Millonario had another chance to score after a good collective move between Bruno Zuculini, Jorge Carrascal, and Girotti. Santa Fe only threatened the rival goal by means of a shot by Kevin Osorio that deflected wide and a deflection off a free kick from the left side. River had one more chance thanks to a good volley by José Paradela, but Castellanos was in the right place and saved the shot.

At the beginning of the second half, Gallardo’s team cornered Santa Fe and, before the 5th minute, it had a clear chance to score, after a great pass from Carrascal to Girotti, who received the ball and fired a right-footed shot that almost entered the top left-hand corner of Castellano's goal. There was more: Paradela fired a precise shot aimed at Rollheiser, who wasn’t able to control the ball on the edge of the goal area. After a good clearance, Carrascal was about to go one-on-one with the keeper, but Jeison Palacios destabilized him.

River didn’t cut back on its efforts and, as minutes went by, was evidently far superior. Luck was again on the Colombian team's side: after Paradela fired a cross from the left side, there was a series of rebounds and a direct header from Girotti that smashed against Santa Fe’s left goalpost.

Off a clearance that almost led to an own goal, Fabio Delgado went one-on-one against Armani, but the keeper made a brilliant save. River kept trying to score until the end: Girotti received the ball and fired a right-footed shot, aimed at one corner, that was blocked by Castellanos by the left post. Despite the draw, el Millonario is still topping the group, tied on 5 points with Fluminense.