It is never easy to return to domestic duties after experiencing the highs of lifting the Copa Libertadores and after River Plate were given a guard of honour before kickoff by Estudiantes, Marcelo Gallardo’s side stumbled and lost valuable ground in the title race. The warning signs were there for River during the first half when Estudiantes harshly had a goal chalked off for offside but Lucho González spectucularly gave the visitors a half time lead. The former Argentina international controlled a long ball into the penalty area with his right foot, flicking it back across onto his left before smashing an unstoppable volley beyond Hilario Navarro and into the top corner. River had been far from their best but it was a goal worthy of lighting up any game.
Minutes after the restart River had the chance to extend their lead when Lucas Alario skipped around Navarro and fired the ball across the face of goal. Gonzalo Martínez stretched to reach the ball but with the goal gaping he managed to poke it over the crossbar and spurn what was a glorious opportunity to probably ensure victory.
Almost immediately River were punished. Ezequiel Cerutti found a yard of space just outside the box and struck a powerful left-footed shot that flew past Marcelo Barovero and nestled in the back of the net. Shortly after and the home side were cursing referee Diego Abal after he failed to send off Jonathan Maidana when he clearly pulled back Cerutti with the striker through on goal.
It mattered little though as Sebastián Domínguez fired in a second after River had failed to defend a free-kick into the box. River were unable to react and fell to defeat which now leaves them a lot of work to do if they hope to lift the league title at the end of the year. Although Gallardo’s side still have a game in hand they are now nine points adrift of San Lorenzo and Boca Juniors and will need an almost perfect run to catch the two of them.
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