River Plate returned to winning ways this evening after a commanding 3-0 victory against Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata in the Argentine Primera Division Apertura tournament held at the Estadio Juan Carmelo Zerillo. This win marked a significant turnaround for Marcelo Gallardo's side, who had been struggling with four consecutive draws prior to this match.
The match began with both teams displaying high intensity, but it was River Plate who struck first, with former Austin FC star Sebastián Driussi finding the back of the net in the 35th minute. Driussi's goal came from a close-range strike after a series of passes that left Gimnasia's defense scrambling. "It's always nice to score with this shirt, I think there were many games where I didn't score and luckily we scored three goals," Driussi remarked after the match. "We focused more, we had been working well but we were always missing that last bit of space to score. The victory fills us with confidence," he added.
Following Driussi's opener, the momentum shifted firmly in River's favor. Just nine minutes into the second half, 17-year-old Franco Mastantuono doubled the lead with a stunning goal. He weaved through the defense, showcasing his skill before dispatching a low drive past Gimnasia goalkeeper Nelson Insfrán. This goal was a testament to his growing reputation as a rising star in Argentine football.
The final nail in the coffin came in the 82nd minute when veteran midfielder Rodrigo Aliendro added a third goal, calmly finishing between Insfrán's legs at the near post. This goal not only sealed the match but also highlighted River's clinical finishing on the night, as they were effective with their limited chances.
Gimnasia, under the guidance of coach Leonardo Madelón, struggled to find their rhythm throughout the match. Despite making a triple substitution at halftime in an effort to turn the tide, they were unable to penetrate River's solid defense. The home side's best chance came late in the game when Nicolás Garayalde's shot was brilliantly saved by River keeper Franco Armani, who was called into action multiple times during the match.
With this victory, River Plate climbed to third place in Group B with 25 points, just three points behind Independiente and one point adrift of Rosario. The win also marked a crucial moment as River prepares for their upcoming Copa Libertadores match against Independiente del Valle on April 23, 2025, followed by the highly anticipated Superclásico against Boca Juniors on April 27.
As for Gimnasia, the defeat left them languishing in 12th place with just 13 points from 13 matches. The pressure is mounting on Madelón and his squad as they look to recover from this setback and improve their standing in the league.
Overall, River Plate's performance was a much-needed boost, showcasing their attacking prowess and defensive solidity. With confidence restored, they now look ahead to a pivotal week in their season, filled with high-stakes matches that could define their trajectory in both domestic and continental competitions.
