It may only be a summer friendly on paper but meetings between Boca Juniors and River Plate are rarely amicable and so the margin of victory in Saturday night’s superclásico in Mendoza is astonishing. Still lusting for revenge after River eliminated them from the Copa Sudamericana last season, Boca inflicted a humiliating defeat on their great rivals. A lightening start saw Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s side race into a three-goal lead and once River lost any semblance of composure, Boca ran riot and notched the second biggest victory in the history of this great fixture. Not since December 1928, when Boca won 6-0 has a side emerged victorious from the superclásico by such a margin. It may only be the Torneo Verano but it is safe to say those in blue and gold rather enjoyed it.
Marcelo Gallardo was able to name what should be close to his first choice eleven while Boca, still tired from their midweek exploits and victory over Vélez, named a side that was missing some of their more established players. However, it took just 15 minutes for Boca to take the lead after a slip from Jonathan Maidana allowed Franco Cristaldo to capitalise. The 18-year-old burst through the centre before smashing his finish past Marcelo Barovero into the roof of the net to spark wild celebrations.
It got better just five minutes later. A River corner was cleared and Boca broke with pace. Speed merchant, Andrés Chávez showed excellent awareness to spot the run of Sebastián Palacios and his first time, volleyed pass released the 23-year-old who slotted past Barovero to double the lead.
Two-nil after 21 minutes was a surprise but when the River defence went missing again on the half hour mark and allowed Chávez to calmly pass the ball into the net for a third, it was staggering. Gallardo’s side, normally so resolute in defence and dominate in possession were being ripped to shreds.
River were shell-shocked and it got worse before half time when Uruguayan, Camilo Mayada was shown a second yellow card for a late tackle on Fernando Gago. The ten men of River made it half time but the reprieve was only temporary.
Gallardo made three changes at the break, bringing on Germán Pezzella, Éder Álvarez Balanta and Carlos Sánchez but the influential Uruguayan midfielder lasted just 11 minutes. Sánchez, initially unhappy after Matías Kranevitter was penalised for what appeared a fair tackle, continued his verbal disagreement with the referee and suddenly found himself walking down the tunnel.
When your side need cool heads, Teo Gutiérrez is not the man to lead and just after the 70 minute mark, the Colombian joined Mayada and Sánchez in the dressing room. Another late tackle on Gago resulted in another yellow card and after his earlier booking, protesting Mayada’s red, Teo was off.
Boca against the eight men of River looked to further humiliate their foes and were able to do so almost at will in the final ten minutes. Jonathan Calleri curled in a measured fourth before Rodrigo Bentancur headed in a fifth. River will be relieved that the match has no real significance but make no mistake when the two sides meet again in the league later this year, this match will be remembered.
golazo argentino 