26/07/2026 03:15 - Deportes
On July 25, 2026, at the Estadio Mas Monumental in Buenos Aires, River Plate kicked off the Torneo Clausura 2026 (the second half of the Argentine football season) with a disappointing 1-0 loss to Barracas Central. According to reports from TyC Sports and ESPN, this victory is the first time Barracas has ever won at River's home ground, a stadium known for its passionate atmosphere and capacity of over 80,000 fans.
At 21 minutes into the first half, former Boca Juniors forward Gonzalo Morales capitalized on a defensive rebound and slotted the ball past the goalkeeper. His celebration was a tribute to Juan Román Riquelme, the legendary Boca playmaker, performing the iconic 'Topo Gigio' dance. That single goal was enough to secure the win for 'El Guapo' (Barracas' nickname), as River's defense struggled throughout the match.
Despite the loss, the night featured two highly anticipated debuts for River. Nicolás Otamendi (38 years old), fresh from playing in the 2026 World Cup final, captained the team and showed leadership in defense, though he couldn't prevent the goal. In the second half, Ángel Correa (31 years old) entered the field, wearing the number 10 jersey after the departure of Juan Fernando Quintero. Correa is the most expensive signing in River's history, and fans are eager to see him adapt.
According to analysts, River displayed a lackluster performance, repeating errors from the previous semester when they were eliminated from the Copa Argentina by Aldosivi (3-1). The team was coached by Ariel Broggi (assistant) because head coach Eduardo Coudet was serving a suspension. On the other side, Barracas' new manager Damián Ayude enjoyed a dream debut.
| River Plate Player | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Marcos Acuña | 6 | Most composed player, created danger on the left flank. |
| Nicolás Otamendi | 5 | Solid in the air and showed leadership, but one error nearly led to a goal. |
| Gonzalo Montiel | 5 | Good defensively, but lacked attacking contribution. |
| Ángel Correa | 5 | Debuted in the second half, tried to add creativity but needs time to adapt. |
| Lucas Martínez Quarta | 4 | Mistakes in defense that complicated the team. |
| Facundo Colidio | 4 | Ineffective in attack. |
| Rafael Santos Borré | 4 | Moved around but lacked final touch. |
Barracas' manager Damián Ayude highlighted his team's effort: 'The secret was wanting it more than the opponent. We knew it was tough, but we struck at the right moment.' He also mentioned his friendship with Ariel Broggi, calling him a brother.
River's captain Otamendi was self-critical: 'We conceded a goal from a stupid play. I understand the fans' anger.' He acknowledged the team must improve in the coming matches.
In the second round of the Torneo Clausura, River Plate will visit Gimnasia on Wednesday, hoping to bounce back. Barracas Central, buoyed by this historic win, will host Aldosivi with high morale.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
