In a match that had everything from early strikes to late tempers, River Plate advanced to the Copa Argentina semifinals with a narrow 1-0 victory over Racing Club on Thursday night in Rosario. The game, played at the iconic Gigante de Arroyito stadium, saw Maxi Salas net the decisive goal just minutes into the first half, capitalizing on a swift counterattack that left Racing's defense scrambling.
River, under the watchful eye of coach Marcelo Gallardo, controlled much of the opening exchanges despite the humid conditions that seemed to sap energy from both sides. Salas' finish, a clinical tap-in after a pinpoint cross from the left, silenced the vocal Racing supporters who'd traveled from Avellaneda. However, the Academy pushed back hard, with several close chances that tested River's keeper, but nothing quite broke through. Indeed, Racing's midfield, led by the tireless Agustín Almendra, dictated play at times, yet their finishing remained frustratingly off-target.
The second half turned scrappier, almost predictably so in a rivalry this heated. River absorbed pressure well, dropping deeper as Racing committed numbers forward. Tensions boiled over in stoppage time when Racing's Maravilla Martínez received a straight red card for a reckless challenge, capping a night of mounting frustration for the visitors. It was the kind of dismissal that summed up Racing's evening—full of fight but short on fortune. River, meanwhile, managed the game with a maturity that belies their recent inconsistencies in league play.
This win marks River's third straight advancement in the Copa Argentina, setting up a intriguing semifinal clash against Independiente Rivadavia from Mendoza. For Racing, the loss stings particularly after a solid campaign; they'll rue those missed opportunities. The match attendance topped 40,000, with flares and chants creating an electric atmosphere that occasionally spilled into on-field scuffles.
However, beyond the result, one wonders if such tight margins truly reveal the depth of talent in Argentine football today, or if luck plays too big a role in these knockout ties.