River Plate and Vélez Sarsfield faced off Sunday in a match for the Torneo Apertura. The game began at 8:30 p.m. local time at Estadio Mâs Monumental.
Under coach Marcelo Gallardo, River sought a win to finish second in Zone B of the league standings. Entering the match, River was third, four points behind the leader.
Vélez, led by Guillermo Barros Schelotto, sat eleventh in Zone B. The team had accumulated 6 goals scored and 18 against across 15 matches before Sunday. Vélez recently secured a win against Gimnasia.
River's confirmed starting lineup included Franco Armani, Fabricio Bustos, Germán Pezzella, Leandro González Pirez, Milton Casco, Nacho Ferández, Enzo Pérez, Giuliano Galoppo, Franco Mastantuono, Sebastián Driussi, and Facundo Colidio.
Vélez started with Randall Rodríguez, Thiago Silvero, Damián Fernández, Valentín Goméz, Elías Gómez, Christian Ordoñez, Kevin Vázquez, Agustín Bouzat, Maher Carrizo, Braian Romero, and Matías Pellegrini.
Andrés Merlos was the designated referee for the encounter. His assistants were José Castelli and Damián Espinoza, with Álvaro Carranza serving as the fourth official. Mauro Vigliano was the VAR, assisted by Bruno Amiconi.
The match was broadcast on ESPN Premium. Fans could follow updates online.
River entered the match after a victory over Boca and a draw against Independiente del Valle in recent games.
Recent results between the two clubs include a 1-1 draw in October 2024 and a 5-0 River victory in February 2024.
