River's substitutions worked: Montiel found the goal that Borja had blocked.
River Plate, the top scorer from the first two matches of the Clausura Tournament , returned, finding the paths that San Lorenzo had blocked last Sunday. The Copa Argentina occasionally occupies a team's schedule and tends to leave its mark on the team's schedule, for better or worse. It's never a good idea to underestimate its effects. This year, three major teams have already been eliminated before the quarterfinals: Boca Juniors, Independiente, and San Lorenzo. River advanced to the round of 16 after slowly eroding a determined San Martín de Tucumán. The 3-0 victory could induce a sense of comfort that only existed in the final stretch of the match.
Individual excellence and some interesting collective performances paved the way for River, which will face Unión in the next round.
With a new coach (Mariano Campodónico) for five days, San Martín (third in Zone A of the Primera Nacional) assumed that if they weren't going to have possession, they would at least pressure River closer to the center circle than their own penalty area. From the start, the Tucumán team proposed a physical development, with contact and firm footwork. River's challenge was to move the ball with good rhythm and precision. Their opponent, from their stance, faced them without any qualms. If River, as the record suggested, was superior, they would have to demonstrate it with a good expenditure of energy and a considerable amount of play. A stadium filled with fans from both sides added tension to a match that, on the field, was already high-intensity.
Colidio and Lencina closed in to collaborate with the inside play, which featured Enzo Pérez and Castaño as constant initiators of the advances. River didn't want to lull itself with inconsequential passes; it wanted to give its attacking intent a deeper meaning. With that in mind, before the first 10 minutes, it had already provided three assists for Borja's empty runs. The Colombian returned to the starting lineup after Maxi Salas' injury, with the obligation to maintain the attacking pressure that the reinforcement from Racing had brought to the forefront.
Colidio's skill and dribbling were a good recipe against an opponent who persevered in creating obstacles and blocking spaces. In defense, Germán Pezzella, replacing the injured Martínez Quarta, was solid, well-positioned, and took fewer risks than Paulo Díaz. Montiel and Acuña were prominent and offered alternatives in an attack that, despite being persistent, struggled to generate scoring chances.
Colidio, with a half-turn from outside the area, came close to opening the scoring. San Martín was putting in a lot of effort, leaving us wondering how long his legs and lungs would last, while gaining confidence from seeing his plan carried out.
River Plate's goal was preceded by one of the few pauses in the match, this time for reasons beyond the control of the game. Castaño and Acuña had to delay a corner kick for a couple of minutes because projectiles, mostly pieces of ice, were falling from the goalposts occupied by San Martín fans . Referee Facundo Tello even had to warn the security guard.
When the corner could be taken, River Plate circulated the ball until Galarza delivered a cross that Pezzella headed into the heart of the six-yard box, where Montiel burst in behind Borja's screen to finish with a lunging finish. It was Montiel's second goal on his return to River Plate, following the one he had scored against Instituto. Then, near the end, he converted the 3-0. He's a full-back who's always expected to contribute offensively, whether it's by pushing forward on runs or by making diagonal runs to position himself in the finishing zone.
With the 33rd minute ticking, River considered the advantage a well-timed one, leaving San Martín, who had been feeling very strong, in a difficult position. Borja had a chance to extend the lead before the end of the first half, but the Colombian is unpredictable: his shot went wide of the stands.
River returned from the break feeling too relaxed, and San Martín, just as they had shown their grit in defending, also displayed pride and determination in their search for the equalizer. They came close to 1-1 a couple of times through Soraire, who collided with Armani's confidence.
The game seemed to be on track, and River was surprised. It took them a few minutes to take note of the opponent's reaction, which was playing in their own half and pushing them. River paid for those moments of confusion with yellow cards for Pezzella, Borja, and Galarza.
Lacking in effectiveness, Borja wasted another clear chance in a one-on-one that was blocked by Sand, a goalkeeper who came through the River Plate youth system and the brother of the former striker. Substitutions were needed, and Gallardo brought on Juanfer Quintero for a fading Lencina and Galoppo for Enzo Pérez to form a double pivot with Castaño. River began to rebuild, putting moments of uncertainty and uncertainty behind them.
Galoppo made it 2-0 with a shot that deflected off a defender; an efficiency Borja lacked, having lost three duels with the goalkeeper. “He’s going through a losing streak, but I liked how he moved, he did well. He needed to finish; he needs to calm down and continue to trust in himself, without getting locked into frustration. We will continue to support him,” Gallardo expressed. The Colombian seemed blinded in front of goal, the complete opposite of Montiel, who scored the 3-0. River scored without any goals from its forwards, but had the quality of Colidio to build up the play and get it right. The abundance of opportunities made up for what Borja missed.
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