Colidio's finish proved to be the difference in a match that remained tense until the final whistle
En una noche cargada de historia y tensión, River Plate se abrió paso hacia la final del Torneo Apertura al vencer a Rosario Central por la mínima diferencia en el Monumental, ante más de 85.000 testigos. Un gol de Facundo Colidio, preciso y oportuno, fue suficiente para sostener el peso de un partido que nunca cedió en intensidad. El equipo de Coudet, golpeado por lesiones y presionado hasta el final, demostró que los grandes equipos no solo ganan con talento, sino también con carácter. El camino hacia el título pasa ahora por Córdoba, donde la historia aguarda su próximo capítulo.
- Un penal fallado por Montiel puso a River al borde del abismo, pero Colidio respondió minutos después con el gol que cambió el destino del partido.
- Las lesiones de Driussi y Moreno obligaron a Coudet a improvisar sobre la marcha, poniendo a prueba la profundidad y la cohesión del plantel.
- Central no se rindió: un remate que pegó en el palo y la expulsión de Copetti marcaron una segunda mitad que estuvo a punto de desbordarse.
- La defensa de River, con Beltrán y Martínez Quarta como pilares, resistió siete minutos de descuento con una solidez que habló más que cualquier estadística.
- River jugará la final del Apertura el próximo domingo en el estadio Mario Alberto Kempes de Córdoba, a la espera de conocer a su rival entre Argentinos Juniors y Belgrano.
River Plate avanzó a la final del Torneo Apertura al derrotar a Rosario Central 1-0 en el Monumental, con más de 85.000 hinchas como testigos de una noche que combinó tensión, drama y carácter. El gol de Facundo Colidio, llegado en el segundo tiempo, fue el único pero suficiente para sellar el triunfo.
El primer tiempo fue parejo y sin goles, con Central mostrándose organizado bajo las órdenes de Almirón y Copetti generando peligro en ataque. En el complemento, River recibió un penal que Montiel no pudo convertir ante la atajada de Ledesma, pero la respuesta fue inmediata: Colidio tomó el balón y definió con precisión para poner el 1-0 que ya no se movería.
Lo que siguió fue un cierre de partido agónico. Central buscó el empate con insistencia, tuvo un remate que golpeó el palo y protagonizó momentos de alta tensión, incluida la expulsión de Copetti por una falta violenta. River, en tanto, sufrió las bajas de Driussi —retirado en camilla— y Moreno, lo que obligó a Coudet a reorganizar el equipo en plena batalla.
Con siete minutos de descuento, River sostuvo el resultado y aseguró su lugar en la final. El partido se jugará el próximo domingo a las 15:30 en el estadio Mario Alberto Kempes de Córdoba. El rival surgirá del duelo entre Argentinos Juniors y Belgrano. Por ahora, el Apertura está al alcance de la mano.
River advanced to the Apertura final on Sunday night, defeating Rosario Central 1-0 at the Monumental in front of more than 85,000 supporters. The goal came from Facundo Colidio in the 16th minute of the second half, a composed finish that proved to be the difference in a match that remained tense and competitive until the final whistle.
The first half unfolded as a cautious affair, with neither team able to establish clear dominance. River had the better of the early exchanges, but Central's defense, marshaled by coach Jorge Almirón, remained organized and difficult to break down. The visitors created their own moments of danger, particularly through Enzo Copetti, who tested River's backline with his movement and aggression. By halftime, the score remained locked at zero, though both sides had generated chances that might have gone either way.
The decisive moment arrived early in the second period. Referee Nicolás Ramírez awarded River a penalty after Central goalkeeper Jeremías Ledesma brought down Joaquín Freitas inside the box. Gonzalo Montiel stepped up to take the kick but Ledesma made a strong save, keeping the match level. River, however, would not be denied. Minutes later, Colidio received the ball and struck a precise shot that found the back of the net, giving Eduardo Coudet's side the lead they would not relinquish.
What followed was a tense second half in which Central pressed for an equalizer but never quite found the cutting edge needed to trouble River's defense. The home team's backline, anchored by Santiago Beltrán and Lucas Martínez Quarta, held firm despite absorbing considerable pressure. Central had one particularly dangerous moment when Ángel Di María's cross struck the post, but River survived. The match grew increasingly physical as it wore on, with multiple yellow cards issued to both sides, including a red-card incident when Enzo Copetti caught Lautaro Rivero with a harsh challenge that left the River defender bloodied.
River's path to the final was complicated by injuries. Sebastián Driussi, the team's forward, suffered a serious injury early in the match and had to be carried off on a stretcher, replaced by Freitas. Aníbal Moreno also went down and was substituted, forcing Coudet to make tactical adjustments as the match progressed. Despite these setbacks, River managed the game effectively in the closing stages, using substitutions to control the tempo and see out the victory.
With seven minutes of stoppage time added, River held on to secure their place in the championship match. The final will be played next Sunday at the Mario Alberto Kempes stadium in Córdoba at 3:30 p.m. River's opponent will be determined on Monday when Argentinos Juniors and Belgrano face off in the other semifinal. For now, Coudet's team has one hand on the Apertura trophy, needing only one more victory to claim the title.
Citas Notables
River's defense held firm despite absorbing considerable pressure from Central in the second half— Match analysis
La Conversación del Hearth Otra perspectiva de la historia
What was the match actually like to watch? Was it a clean game or did it get rough?
It was tense and physical. Central came to defend and make it difficult, and River had to work for everything. There were some harsh challenges—Copetti kicked Rivero in the face and left him bleeding. The referee was busy with yellow cards all night. It wasn't pretty football, but it was the kind of match you get in a semifinal.
How much did the injuries hurt River's chances?
They could have been devastating. Driussi went down early and had to be carried off, and then Moreno went down too. But Coudet had good options on the bench. Freitas came in and was involved in the play that led to the penalty. Sometimes losing a player forces you to adjust in ways that actually work.
The penalty miss—did that feel like it might cost them?
For a moment, yes. Montiel's shot was saved and you thought Central might take that as a sign. But River scored almost immediately after. Sometimes that's how it goes. You survive one moment and the next one goes your way.
Central had Di María. Why couldn't they create more with him?
Di María had moments. He hit the post with a dangerous cross. But River's defense was organized and Central never quite found the space to be truly dangerous. River's fullbacks were sharp, and the center backs held their line. Di María is a great player, but he can't do it alone.
What does this mean for the final?
River is in the championship match. They'll face whoever wins between Argentinos and Belgrano on Monday. They've shown they can win tight matches under pressure. One more win and they have the trophy.