Talleres de Córdoba achieved a historic victory on March 5, 2025, by winning their first-ever title after defeating River Plate 3-2 on penalties during the Supercopa Internacional. The match, held at the Nueva Olla stadium in Paraguay, ended goalless after 120 intense minutes, pushing both teams to settle the matter from the penalty spot.
Both teams entered the match with significant stakes; River Plate, champions of the 2023 Trofeo de Campeones, sought to bolster their trophy cabinet, whereas Talleres aimed for their first title in their 111-year history. The showdown was intense, with hard tackles and limited clear chances for either side. Though River controlled possession, they failed to capitalize on their opportunities, and the best chance of the first half came from Federico Girotti, whose header went over the crossbar.
The second half saw continued tension, with River pushing for the breakthrough goal, including attempts by Miguel Borja and Facundo Colidio, both of which left the crowd unsettled. Notably, the game witnessed injuries to key players. Sebastián Driussi had to exit the match due to muscular problems, followed by Lucas Martínez Quarta, which added to the pressure of maintaining competitive prowess.
After both regulation and extra time concluded without goals, the match proceeded to penalties, where tension peaked. Franco Armani, River's goalkeeper, did save two penalties, initially showing potential for turning the tide, but it was overshadowed as his teammates faltered. River executed six penalties but missed four, with notable failures from Manuel Lanzini, Facundo Colidio, Gonzalo Montiel, and Matías Rojas.
The table turned dramatically during the penalty shootout. Joaquín Mosqueira, Nahuel Bustos, and Gastón Benavides delivered decisive penalties for Talleres, helping secure the win. Talleres had its own share of misfires, yet they converted enough to emerge victorious. The mood shifted quickly among the Tallares players and fans from the moment Benavides sealed the match with the last penalty, marking the culmination of their long wait for their first trophy.
"We had to suffer, but we were brave. After so many years, we finally took home the first title of our history!" expressed Joaquín Mosqueira, highlighting the weight of the achievement and the emotional release for the team and its supporters. The victory was particularly meaningful for Talleres, who previously found themselves runners-up multiple times without capturing the coveted title before this moment.
On the other side, the recurring theme of disappointment for River Plate arose yet again. Coach Marcelo Gallardo expressed his frustration following yet another penalty loss, stating, "It’s disappointing to lose again on penalties. We need to work on this aspect urgently." This sentiment reflects the necessity for introspection and strategy adjustment as River Plate continues to grapple with their failing historical streak of penalty shootouts.
Since the start of their struggling streak, River Plate has now lost seven consecutive penalty shootouts. Their last success came against Cruzeiro during the Round of 16 of the 2019 Copa Libertadores. Since then, they’ve faced elimination at the hands of teams including Boca Juniors, Patronato, Internacional de Porto Alegre, and now Talleres. The statistics show the dire need for improvement, with only 19 wins out of 50 penalty shootouts, yielding a success rate of just 38%.
The analysis doesn’t stop there; River has had 17 defeats at the local level and 14 on the international stage. The most concerning statistic is the last three shootouts; River missed 10 of their last 16 penalties, showcasing both execution issues and psychological pressure. They simply have not been able to capitalize on goalkeeping saves from their top performer, Franco Armani.
With this loss marking another milestone of anguish for River Plate fans, they will have much to ponder as their club embarks on tackling the dual challenges of restoring confidence and effectiveness under pressure, particularly from the spot. It’s apparent their once-presumed fortitude is now shrouded by uncertainty.
Meanwhile, for Talleres, the weight of history has been lifted, and they celebrate not just this trophy but their resilience, marking this event as the dawn of a new chapter for the club. The roads traveled may have been long, but the fans’ dreams have finally been fulfilled with the Supercopa Internacional trophy proudly held high.