For the second time this week, River Plate missed the chance to go top of the table after being held to a draw despite having the better of the match. Temperley were the visitors to the Monumental and defended resolutely to hold on for a superb point against a River side clearly focused on their Copa Libertadores semi-final in midweek. Javier Saviola earned his first start since returning to his boyhood club but River’s opener came via the bizarre source of Ramiro Funes Mori’s left foot. The usually rather cumbersome central defender curled in a powerfully struck free-kick to give the home side the lead but the home side were unable to add to this and were soon caught out. On-loan San Lorenzo attacker Gabriel Esparza dashed in behind and showed enough composure to clip the ball over Julio Chiarini and stun the home crowd. Marcelo Gallardo pushed to try and find a winner in the second half introducing Lucho González, Gonzalo Martínez and Lucas Alario but they could not find a way through. Undoubtedly this is two points dropped for River but Tuesday night’s Libertadores semi-final against Guaraní is of far greater importance at present.
Earlier in Córdoba, Belgrano needed a last-minute controversial free-kick to earn a victory over Argentinos Juniors as Ricardo Zielinski’s side remain in the title chasing pack. Lautaro Rinaldi had fired the visitors in front midway through the first half but it was the Celeste who still looked the more likely victors. Fernando Márquez poked the home side level shortly after the break and after a string of close misses it was Claudio Pérez who struck the winner. Deep into stoppage time referee Fernando Echenique awarded a very soft free-kick just outside the penalty area and with virtually the last kick of the game, Pérez found the bottom corner. Néstor Gorosito and his side were rightly disgruntled with the decision but Belgrano were worthy winners.
golazo argentino 