In a match that simmered with intensity from the opening whistle, River Plate secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Racing Club in the Copa Argentina quarterfinals on Thursday night. The game, held at Rosario's Estadio Gigante de Arroyito, saw Maximiliano Salas strike the decisive blow early in the first half, capitalizing on a swift counterattack to put the Millonarios ahead. It was a goal that silenced the vocal Racing supporters who had traveled hoping for an upset.
Indeed, the first half crackled with energy. River pressed high, forcing errors from a Racing defense that looked unsteady under the pressure. Salas' finish, a clinical tap-in after a pinpoint cross from Colidio, highlighted the visitors' clinical edge. However, Racing responded with waves of attacks, only to be thwarted by River's keeper, who made a string of vital saves. The tempo was relentless, but as the half wore on, fatigue began to show—players lunging into tackles that bordered on reckless.
The second period, though, dragged into a more labored affair. Both sides seemed content to protect their positions, with substitutions doing little to ignite real danger. Tensions boiled over late, culminating in the red card to Racing's Maravilla Martínez in stoppage time after a heated clash. It was a needless expulsion that summed up Racing's frustrations on the night. River, ever pragmatic, held firm to clinch the win and advance to the semifinals against Independiente Rivadavia.
Moreover, this result underscores River's resilience in knockout ties, even if their performance lacked the flair of past triumphs. Racing, for their part, will rue missed opportunities—particularly a glaring chance early in the second half that sailed wide. The match wasn't without controversy; referee decisions drew sharp criticism from the losing bench, adding fuel to the rivalry's enduring fire.
As River eyes deeper runs in the tournament, one wonders how this gritty survival shapes their path forward.