Ángel Correa scored a goal to lead Club Atlético River Plate to a crucial 3-2 away win over Banfield this weekend. The victory marked the debut on the bench for new coach Leonardo Ponzio, who took over after Eduardo Coudet's departure following elimination from the Copa Sudamericana by Independiente Santa Fe. The Millionaires showed character to take all three points at the Estadio Florencio Sola, in front of around 7,000 traveling fans.
How did the match unfold?
River Plate started with intensity and took an early lead. Sebastián Driussi opened the scoring in the 31st minute, settling Ponzio's side. Ten minutes later, Thiago Almada extended the advantage with a stunning strike that seemed to seal the match. However, Banfield reacted in the second half. Bruno Sepúlveda pulled one back in the 63rd minute, making River Plate's supporters nervous. The response was swift. In the 68th minute, Ángel Correa received the ball in the box and finished precisely past home goalkeeper Diego Rodríguez, restoring the two-goal cushion. "It was super important to get the points," Correa stated after the match. Sepúlveda would get a second personal goal in the 83rd minute, but River Plate, with Santiago Beltrán in goal, managed the final minutes well to secure the win.
What does this result mean for River Plate?
The win is a vital boost for a team that needs to climb the table. With this result, River Plate has now won three of its last five matches, maintaining a positive run of three games unbeaten. In the overall Liga Profesional Argentina standings, the team now sits in 11th place with 7 points, from 2 wins, 1 draw, and 4 losses in the first seven rounds of the Torneo Clausura. They have a goal difference of -1, having scored 7 and conceded 8. Although they are 9 points behind leaders Argentinos JRS, the win at Banfield shows tangible improvement. You can follow the team's progress on our stats page.
What is the context of Ponzio's debut?
Leonardo Ponzio took charge at a complex moment. Eduardo Coudet's exit came after elimination in the Copa Sudamericana preliminary stage, a hard blow to the club's international aspirations. His first match in command, away from home against a tough opponent like Banfield, was a baptism of fire. The team responded with goals and showed the necessary grit to respond when the opponent closed the gap. This immediate triumph gives oxygen and credibility to the new coach's project, establishing a foundation to build upon. Defensive solidity will be a point to improve, as they have conceded in most of their matches.
What's next for River Plate now?
The immediate schedule presents another significant challenge. River Plate will host Independiente Rivadavia next on September 6th at the Monumental. The opponent, currently sixth in the table, represents an opportunity for Ponzio's side to earn points at home and continue its climb up the standings. Maintaining the streak of good results is essential to close the gap with the top places. With morale renewed after the win at Banfield, the focus is on preparing for the next fixture. The team needs to consolidate its play and harness the momentum from this hard-fought victory to face a run of games you can check on our fixtures page.
