After the opening minutes, during which Central Córdoba threatened Franco Armani’s goal twice with long-range shots, River Plate took control of the game and started to create danger, particularly through a motivated Facundo Colidio: around the 6th minute, he capitalized on a superb team move and slotted home an assist from Milton Casco. In the next play, Esequiel Barco came close to scoring the second goal, but his shot went high.
River kept pressing, and Casco had his chance, courtesy of a pass from Claudio Echeverri. Pablo Solari also had a clear chance saved by Luis Ingolotti; later, Barco couldn’t capitalize on the counterattack, but Colidio made it 2-0 with a precise header. Before the end of the first half, River Plate had clear chances: a combination play involving Barco and Solari, and two more shots from Barco and Echeverri that were saved by the opposing keeper.
Just as the second half started, Colidio smashed a header against the crossbar, narrowly missing the chance to make it 3-0 and notch his third goal of the game. River maintained control of the game, with precise passing and solid defensive work. On an attack on goal, Agustín Sant’Anna received the ball on the right wing and nearly scored a screamer, but Ingolotti saved it.
Central Córdoba’s Kevin Vázquez took a dangerous free kick, but Armani parried the ball away, denying the equalizer. Barco kept pressing for his goal with a right-footed strike from outside the box, only to be met by another save from the visiting keeper. In the end, Barco’s persistence paid off as he rifled a superb shot into Ingolotti’s top left corner.
Thus, River Plate secured a clear and well-deserved win and will now focus on Tuesday’s match, hosting Paraguay’s Libertad at the Mâs Monumental stadium for another round of the CONMEBOL Libertadores group stage.