River Plate thrashes Sarmiento in a key duel for qualifying for the quarterfinals

The League Cup entered its definition stage and Saturday’s day closes with a key game in the bid for a place in the quarterfinals. In it Eva Peron, the faces of two of the main animators of Zone 1 are seen: River Plate visits Sarmiento de Junín. The referee is Fernando Rapallini and he televises Fox Sports Premium.

At 18 minutes, the first clear arrival of the match occurred when Paulo Díaz finished off from mid-range and forced goalkeeper Josué Ayala to send the ball to the corner kick. In the following action it was possible to see the strategy of Israel Damonte’s team to defend the corners that has worked so well in the contest, since until today they had not received goals in those actions.

Only at 26 minutes the Millionaire found his rival open when Tomás Pochettino was able to overflow from the right and launch the center back. Julián Álvarez let her pass and Enzo Fernández appeared behind him to shoot at the door of the area, but his shot went to Ayala’s body.

*Julián Álvarez’s first goal against Sarmiento

The opening of the scoring was at 34 minutes in a corner kick. River Plate, as it had done before, spun the ball through the door of the area until it reached Pochettino. The former Talleres settled down, raised his head and nailed a lethal right hand for 1-0.

In the following action, a bad start by Sarmiento and a slip by defender Federico Andueza allowed Julián Álvarez to escape hand in hand alone and define to stamp the 2 to 0 and cut with a drought of 697 minutes. Before the end of the first half, when Gallardo’s team already completely dominated the game, Milton Casco appeared in attack and with spaces he threw the center to the far post for the arrival of Álvarez, who in the air and with his right foot sealed the third.

*Julián Álvarez, again, scored 3-0 for River Plate

The Millionaire, after his key victory in Chile against Colo Colo to practically pave his way to the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores, now he is looking for the same at the local level. Those led by Marcelo Gallardo jump onto the playing field knowing that a victory could allow them to achieve their goal at the end of Date 13. If that happens, and also Argentinos do not beat Platense on Monday, they will be among the top eight in the tournament.

Núñez’s men have 23 units and are five behind the leader and already classified Racing, which has 28. Newell’s also has 23, but appears lower due to goal difference (+11 against +4). Then Argentinos Juniors and Sarmiento (21) appear.

Beyond the casualties due to injury to Juan Fernando Quintero, Jonatan Maidana, Robert Rojas and Felipe Peña Biafore, the Doll He puts the best he has at his disposal. Finally, Enzo Pérez is the starter and Esequiel Barco won the arm wrestling match against Matías Suárez to accompany Julián Álvarez on offense.

Those from Junín, who were armed with the intention of adding to avoid relegation, are facing a historic chance to fight for the title and try to strike against the last champions of the Professional League.

Coach Israel Damonte, who knows very well the Doll (they coincided in Nacional de Uruguay), has the return of Emiliano Méndez, who fulfilled his sanction. The experienced Lisandro López is on the bench and Javier Toledo is the starter.

Formations:

Sarmiento: Joshua Ayala; Jean Rosso, Gaston Sauro, Federico Andueza, Federico Rasmussen; Yair Arismendi, Emiliano Méndez, Harrinson Mancilla, Julián Brea; Jonathan Torres and Javier Toledo. DT: Israel Damonte.

River: Franco Armani; Andres Herrera, Paulo Diaz, David Martinez, Milton Casco; Enzo Perez; Esequiel Barco, Tomás Pochettino, Enzo Fernández, Nicolás De La Cruz; Julian Alvarez. DT: Marcelo Gallardo.

Stadium: Eva Peron

Referee: Fernando Rapallini

Television: Fox Sports Premium

Positions table:

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