River won at the Monumental Stadium and got to the top

El Millonario had to claim all three points at the Monumental Stadium to remain among the top teams in the group. During a tight beginning, when neither team was dominating, Colón's Tomás Moschión fired the first shot on goal, but it deflected wide. River responded: Fabrizio Angileri made an overlapping run on the left side and Rafael Borré won the ball, but his shot wasn’t accurate.

Nicolás De La Cruz fired a long-range shot that was blocked by Leonardo Burián. Then, there was a very clear chance to score: a cross from Gonzalo Montiel on the right side followed by a frontal header by Lucas Beltrán that brushed the crossbar. River became the protagonist and took control of the match, while Colón made another scoring attempt through a crossed shot by Eric Meza. Agustín Palavecino had a good chance by means of a deflected right-footed shot.

The well-deserved first goal was scored thanks to a great assist by De La Cruz and a perfect shot by Beltrán, who had the pleasure of scoring his first official goal wearing the River jersey. When the first half was about to end, Christian Bernardi took advantage of a deep pass from Facundo Farías and set the score at 1-1.

At the very beginning of the second half, and after a dangerous play by Colón, Beltrán set De La Cruz up for a goal, but the Uruguayan’s crossed right-footed shot didn’t threaten Burián, who saved it low. In another play, Angileri captured a rebound and almost set the score at 2-1, with a good left-footed shot that deflected and narrowly missed the rival left post.

Colón was left with fewer players after Alexis Castro’s dismissal and River immediately had another clear chance to score: David Martínez fired a long-range shot, but Julián Álvarez wasn’t able to accurately kick the keeper’s rebound. Before the 15-minute mark, after Jorge Carrascal was fouled on the edge of the box, Angileri took a free kick and set the score at 2-1.

River kept controlling the match and was close to scoring the third goal, but Borré didn’t locate any teammate after escaping on the left side. After a corner kick from the left, Tomás Moschión made a handball, Facundo Tello awarded a penalty to River, and Montiel fired a fantastic penalty, setting the score at 3-1.

El Millonario didn’t ease off and kept attacking. The team had several clear chances, at the feet of Benjamín Rollheiser, Palavecino, Carrascal, Álvarez, and Girotti; but Colón’s keeper made some very good saves and prevented River from having a wider lead. Towards the end, Rodrigo Aliendro reduced the deficit thanks to a header off a free kick from Cristian Ferreira.

River claimed an important victory which has allowed it to remain at the top, where it can qualify for the next round. The next match, against Central Córdoba, will take place this Friday, in Santiago del Estero.

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