A disallowed goal following a lengthy VAR review for a Fausto Vera handball frustrated Club Atlético River Plate in their visit to Sarmiento de Junín, a 1-1 draw that leaves them ninth in the Liga Profesional with 16 points. Full-back Gonzalo Montiel had celebrated the strike in the 71st minute, assisted by Thiago Almada, but referee Sebastián Zunino, after consulting the monitor and a review lasting nearly six minutes, ruled that midfielder Vera had grazed the ball with his fist in the build-up.
The incident, analysed by VAR official José Carreras, centred on whether Vera's arm position was natural for balance during his movement. The contact was minimal, but the interpretation was that the hand was in an unnatural position, invalidating the move that led to Montiel's finish. The final decision was communicated in the 76th minute, cancelling what seemed to be the equaliser. Referee Zunino later explained to media that, according to protocol, any contact of the hand or arm with the ball when it is in a position that makes the body unnaturally bigger constitutes an offence, regardless of intent.
Montiel's reaction
Gonzalo Montiel expressed his frustration after the match, insisting the team must focus on their own performance. "We leave with a bitter taste because we came for the three points, we came to win and we got a draw," said the defender. Montiel also remarked that the referee "was looking for the handball a lot," though he accepted the final call. For his part, River Plate coach Martín Demichelis avoided openly criticising the refereeing decision but noted that "these are interpretations that sometimes go your way and sometimes don't. Today it didn't go our way."
The result keeps River Plate in ninth place with 16 points from 11 games, six points behind leaders Rosario Central. The team must now focus on their next fixture, a tough away trip to second-placed Belgrano de Córdoba on October 18. The match against Sarmiento also saw forward Miguel Borja leave injured with a muscle strain, and he will be assessed in the coming days. Their performance in these away games will be key to keeping their title hopes alive.
