In 2014, San Lorenzo were on the brink of Copa Libertadores elimination ahead of their final group game but after a 3-0 home win and an extraordinary 5-4 away win in the other match, Los Cuervos snuck through. Edgardo Bauza’s side of course went on to lift the trophy and last night in freakishly similiar circumstances River Plate repeated the act.
River had not won a match in this year’s Libertadores but were still expected to defeat Bolivian side, San José in the Monumental. However, that alone was not enough. River required group winners, Tigres to travel to Peru and defeat Juan Aurich made all the more unlikely when the Mexican side sent a second string eleven to Chiclayo.
River may have taken longer than expected to fully take control of their match but against a Bolivian side without the advantage of altitude much of the game was like a half-pitch training exercise of attack vs defence, barring the rare foray into River’s half. Rodrigo Mora settled the nerves just before half time with an excellent curled shot and after half time and shortly after the break the Uruguayan slotted in a penalty. Teo Gutiérrez added a third to ensure that River would keep up their end of the deal but all the drama was going on in Peru.
Tigres had taken an early lead and although were pegged back they led again after only sixteen minutes when Enrique Esqueda scored his second of the game. However it was Juan Aurich in desperate need of the win and as they continued to probe they fought back. Two goals by Luis Tojeda put the Peruvians in front and it appeared to be all over for River until Dieter Villalpando unleashed a fierce volley to bring Tigres level at 3-3.
At one stage with a high scoring draw in Peru, the group became even more complicated as River needed to win by more than two and the mathmaticians were furiously working out the permutations of goals in either match. But with River increasing their lead and then Esqueda completing his hat-trick before Jonathan Espericueta added a fifth it was clear that it was to be River’s day.
Marcelo Gallardo said after the game that he never doubted the professionalism of Tigres but he would have been a very small minority if that were the case. River avoided major embarressment thanks to the result in Peru and must improve now if they are to seriously challenge for the title. There lowly ranking will no doubt give them a tricky last sixteen match-up but hopeful supporters will be clinging to San Lorenzo’s route last year.
golazo argentino 