With progression already secured and the Primera title race well and truly on, Marcelo Gallardo opted for an almost complete second-string side for their final Copa Libertadores group game and it allowed Independiente Medellín to inflict a first defeat since December on Los Millonarios.
After a goalless first half John Hernández stabbed the ball past debutant goalkeeper Maxi Velazco to open the scoring and shortly after the lead was doubled when Andrés Mosquera smashed a volley into the roof of the net.
Gallardo responded with the introduction of Sebastian Driussi and Ariel Rojas and the young forward was vital to reducing the deficit after his shot cannoned off the crossbar allowing Arturo Mina to head into an empty net. However, the equaliser never came and so River tasted defeat for the first time. The home side won group three regardless and Emelec’s victory over Melgar meant Independiente Medellín had to make do with the Copa Sudamericana.
In Quilmes, Estudiantes already knew that they weren’t progressing to the last 16 so all that was left was for Juan Sebastián Verón to hang up his boots again.
Augusto Solari scored the only goal of the game midway through the first half but with the result having no real impact on the tournament, Verón could say his farewells before an injury time substitution.
The iconic club president’s playing return has hardly been a success but it is now time for Brujita to focus on the running of Estudiantes and his role within the AFA.
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