Deportivo Riestra beat River Plate in top-of-the-table clash in Argentina
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Deportivo Riestra defender Pedro Ramirez (centre) celebrates with defender Jonatan Goitia (left) and defender Nicolas Sansotre, after scoring his team's second goal in the Argentine Professional Football League 2025 Clausura Tournament match against River Plate at the Mas Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, on Sept 28, 2025.
PHOTO: AFP
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BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Deportivo Riestra secured a 2-1 victory over River Plate at the Estadio Monumental on Sept 27, after goals from Antony Alonso and Pedro Ramirez gave their side a four-point lead in Group B of the Argentine Primera Division Clausura tournament.
Riestra top the group with 22 points from 10 matches, while River, who lost to Palmeiras in the Copa Libertadores quarter-finals during the week, are second on 18 points.
The visitors stunned River in the 12th minute when Alonso rose highest to meet Pablo Monje’s corner and head home the opener in Buenos Aires.
River responded in the 25th minute through Giuliano Galoppo, who fired a powerful right-footed shot past Riestra goalkeeper Ignacio Arce.
Riestra restored their lead early in the second half when Ramirez showed composure inside the box to place his shot beyond River keeper Franco Armani to make it 2-1.
River’s hopes of a comeback were dashed when forward Maximiliano Salas was sent off for dissent towards an assistant referee in the 81st minute, as the hosts slumped to a fourth consecutive defeat in all competitions.
“The first thing I want to do is apologise to our fans, because we are not going through a good moment,” River manager Marcelo Gallardo said.
“In this short week, we had four games with negative results, so they deserve an apology. It wasn’t the moment we wanted to be in, and yet they are always there for us. We couldn’t turn the page on the Copa Libertadores and give them a victory today.
“I take responsibility for the team’s current form. We've tried different things, we’ve given players opportunities, but we haven’t been able to get things flowing. It’s my responsibility and I accept that.”
River next visit Racing Club in the Copa Argentina quarter-finals on Oct 2. REUTERS
