The VAR prevents Borja’s goal in River’s victory in Asunción

River Plate has a perfect campaign in the 2024 Copa Libertadores. The team led by Martín Demichelis beat Libertad 1-2 at the Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asunción on the third day of the group stage.

VAR made its appearance very early in Defensores del Chaco. Free kick in favor of the visitor, play low to the right, cross by Marcelo Herrera, Paulo Díaz headed it down and Miguel Borja sent it to the back. However, there was a review and the action was annulled due to offside by the Colombian. at the moment of his teammate’s headbutt.

Shortly after, the ‘9’, honored before the start of the game for being the scorer of the 2016 Sudamericana, sought revenge with a left-footed shot that came out bitten, but became a pass for Pablo Solari, who deflected it with his cue and The ball crashed into the base of the post from Rodrigo Morínigo’s left handbut if the ball ended up inside, the winger’s offside play was going to be annulled.

Solari celebrated in anticipation of Borja

At 34′ the zero was broken in Asunción. The Millonario’s insistence was rewarded with a pass from Rodrigo Aliendro from the right at ground level that was looking for an advanced Borja, but From behind Solari appeared by surprise to launch himself, anticipate his partner and push her. Morínigo was left without reaction.

River’s joy lasted only 6 minutes, as the house specialty appeared: corner kick executed by Lucas Sanabria so that Matías Espinoza won in the heights, header against the floor and nothing to do for Franco Armani. To the locker room with equality on the scoreboard.

Mastantuono, the man of victory in Asunción

Libertad grew at the start of the complement and it was more difficult for Martín Demichelis’ team to get closer with danger, so Borja lost importance and influence and, when he had contact with the ball, he did not decide well. But in the last 20 minutes the visitor improved and 10 from the end he regained the advantage with a step by Franco Mastantuono and a cross shot at ground level which, fortunately for him, deviated from Iván Ramírez enough to get in next to the far post.

At the end, The Colombian had his option, but Morínigo endured it and won head-to-head. The rebound fell again to Borja, who faked in front of the goalkeeper and finished with his left foot just wide. He was the third to secure the victory. Despite this, River added 3 more points and is having a perfect campaign in this group stage, in which it leads zone H. Now to think about Nacional in Montevideo on May 7.

Follow the Diario AS channel on WhatsApp, where you will find all the sport in a single space: the news of the day, the agenda with the latest news on the most important sporting events, the most outstanding images, the opinion of the best AS firms , reports, videos, and some humor from time to time.