River Plate Held To Draw By Barcelona In Copa Libertadores Clash

In a tense and hard-fought match at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on April 8, 2025, River Plate and Barcelona SC of Ecuador battled to a 0-0 draw in the second matchday of the Copa Libertadores group stage. Despite dominating possession and creating multiple scoring opportunities, River Plate was unable to find the back of the net, largely due to the outstanding performance of Barcelona's goalkeeper, José Contreras.

The match, played behind closed doors due to a sanction imposed on River by CONMEBOL, started at a frenetic pace. Just three minutes in, River was awarded a penalty when Driussi was fouled by Contreras, who had rushed out of his goal to intercept a pass. However, the Venezuelan goalkeeper redeemed himself by saving Driussi's penalty kick, keeping the game level.

River Plate, under the guidance of coach Marcelo Gallardo, looked to assert their dominance early on. Colidio had a chance to score in the 15th minute, but his shot sailed over the crossbar. Driussi continued to threaten, but Contreras was equal to the task, saving a one-on-one attempt shortly after.

As the first half progressed, River Plate ramped up their attacking efforts, with Franco Mastantuono becoming a key figure in the midfield. He created several opportunities, including a brilliant chance for Maximiliano Meza, whose shot was again thwarted by the impressive Contreras. The first half ended with River Plate having the clearer chances but unable to convert, thanks to Contreras's heroics.

The second half saw River Plate continue to press for a breakthrough. An early double save by Contreras from attempts by Driussi and Colidio highlighted his importance to Barcelona's defense. River's frustration grew as they struggled to find a way past the resolute Ecuadorian defense.

In the 63rd minute, Gallardo made tactical changes, bringing on Miguel Borja and Santiago Simón for Facundo Colidio and Maximiliano Meza, hoping to inject fresh energy into the attack. Despite these changes, River found it increasingly difficult to break through Barcelona's compact defensive setup.

Barcelona, meanwhile, managed to create a rare opportunity in the 61st minute when Byron Castillo took the first shot for the visitors, but it went wide of the target. As the match wore on, River Plate's lack of finishing began to show, and their inability to score became a cause for concern.

Late in the game, River had another chance to take the lead, but a goal from Mastantuono was ruled out for offside. The tension in the stadium was palpable as the clock ticked down, and River's players pushed hard for a late winner. However, the final whistle blew with the score still at 0-0, leaving River Plate frustrated after a match they largely controlled.

After the match, Gallardo expressed his disappointment over the missed opportunities but remained optimistic about the team's potential. "We created enough chances to win the game, but we just couldn't find that final touch," he said. "We need to be more clinical in front of goal as we move forward in the tournament."

On the other side, Barcelona SC's coach, Segundo Castillo, praised his team's defensive performance and highlighted the importance of Contreras's saves. "José was phenomenal today, and his saves were crucial for us to secure this point away from home," Castillo remarked.

This draw marked Barcelona's fourth consecutive match without conceding a goal, showcasing their solid defensive organization. The result keeps River Plate at the top of Group B, tied on points with Barcelona, as they both aim for a place in the knockout stages of the tournament.

River Plate will look to bounce back when they face Talleres on Sunday, April 13, 2025, at 20:15 (Argentine time) in Núñez. Following that, they will resume their Copa Libertadores campaign with a trip to Ecuador to face Independiente del Valle on April 23, 2025, as they prepare for a crucial Superclásico against Boca Juniors in the Torneo Apertura.

As the Copa Libertadores progresses, both teams will need to sharpen their focus and execution to ensure they advance in this prestigious tournament. The stakes are high, and every match counts as they strive for glory in South America's premier club competition.