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ESRiver draws against Vélez at the Mâs Monumental stadium River Plate drew 1-1 against Vélez Sarsfield on Friday, during Matchday 18 of the Liga Profesional de Fútbol. Miguel Borja’s penalty secured the equalizer.
After the break for the South American World Cup Qualifiers, River returned to the Liga Profesional for Matchday 18. The first half saw little action, with River enjoying most of the possession. Early on, Claudio Echeverri fired from distance and Miguel Borja had a chance, but his header missed the target following a pinpoint cross from Germán Pezzella.
Vélez grew into the game toward the end of the half, first threatening with a right-footed shot from Thiago Fernández, then taking the lead with a close-range finish from Brian Romero after a cross from the right. River sought the equalizer but struggled to threaten Tomás Marchiori’s goal.
Early in the second half, referee Yael Falcón Pérez awarded River a penalty after a VAR review confirmed a handball by Romero in the box. Borja stepped up and converted to make it 1-1. Franco Armani later denied Francisco Pizzini to keep Vélez from regaining the lead. River created more chances, with Franco Mastantuono coming close after a fast break and a left-footed shot that went just wide.
Gallardo’s team pressed until the end, creating great chances through Mastantuono and Facundo Colidio, but couldn’t secure the win. With the draw, River reached 26 points in the league and will now focus on the first leg of the CONMEBOL Libertadores semifinal next Tuesday against Atlético Mineiro in Brazil.
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