River Plate are still at now where near the level that saw them lift the Copa Libertadores in August but Marcelo Gallardo can let out a sigh of relief after his side’s defence of the Copa Sudamericana remains intact despite a deserved defeat to Chapecoense. The Brazilian hosts trailed 3-1 from the first leg but on Wednesday night gave River, and Colombian defender Eder Álvarez Balanta in particular, a torrid evening.
Chapecoense were in need of the first goal and after 20 minutes, Bruno Rangel headed past Marcelo Barovero with the help of a deflection off Balanta. It was the start of an awful night for the young Colombian, whose confidence looks shot after losing his place in Gallardo’s starting eleven. The 22-year-old, who not long ago was destined for Europe, requested his own substition during the second half.
Thankfully for River, Carlos Sánchez appears to be regaining his knack of scoring crucial goals and in first half stoppage time he flicked Leonardo Pisculichi’s cross into the net to enforce the home side to find another two goals.
Rangel stabbed in a second after the break and after dominating the second half, a third or even fourth should really have been found. Defender Neto blazed over from just a few yards with the goal wide open and late on, Tiago Luís headed against the River crossbar with Barovero stranded.
With a decisive third not coming, River held and claimed the semi-final spot against Paraguayan side, Sportivo Luqueño. This may change based on the result on Thursday evening between Independiente and Santa Fe, as if the Colombians hold on to their lead then an all-Argentine semi would be enforced and River would play Huracán instead.
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