Club Atlético River Plate secured a 3-2 away win against Banfield in a match defined by a controversial double penalty. Referee Lucas Novelli, after a VAR review, ordered a retake of a spot-kick saved by Diego 'Ruso' Rodríguez due to a defender's encroachment, and Thiago Almada scored on the second attempt. The news was first reported by Clarín Deportes this weekend.
The result keeps the Núñez side in 11th place in the Liga Profesional Argentina, with 7 points from two wins, one draw, and four losses. With 7 goals scored and 8 conceded, their goal difference stands at -1. This win distances the team from the lower part of the table and improves their recent form to three wins and two draws in their last five matches.
What happened with Almada's penalty?
Thiago Almada stepped up to take a penalty in the 67th minute, with the score at 1-0 for River after Sebastián Driussi's goal assisted by Ángel Correa. Almada's shot was saved by goalkeeper Diego Rodríguez. However, the referee disallowed the save because a Banfield player entered the area early. The rule is clear and the infringement was confirmed by VAR. On the retake, Almada adjusted his shot and beat Rodríguez to make it 2-0. SportsCenter (@SC_ESPN) commented on social media: "¡Atención a esta repe! Almada falló su penal, pero los jugadores del Taladro invadieron y se tuvo que repetir el tiro."
How was Leonardo Ponzio's debut?
Leonardo Ponzio managed River Plate for the first time as head coach in this match played at Banfield's stadium. The former club captain took over at a complex time, with the team 9 points behind leaders Argentinos Juniors. His debut ended with a crucial victory that breaks an inconsistent streak and provides oxygen for the project. The away win boosts squad morale ahead of the next challenge at home against Independiente Rivadavia, who are sixth in the standings. Fans can track the team's progress on our stats page.
What is the context of Almada's signing?
Thiago Almada, who scored the 2-0 goal from the spot, is the most expensive signing in Club Atlético River Plate's history. His arrival represented a substantial investment the club hopes will pay off in the medium and long term. In this match, his contribution was decisive in securing the three points. His ability to handle pressure was demonstrated by converting the retaken penalty. River Plate celebrated the goal on their official account: "Derechazo cruzado de Thiago Almada para poner el partido 2-0 frente a Banfield 🎯".
The victory puts River Plate on a two-game winning run. The team now prepares to host Independiente Rivadavia on September 6th at the Monumental, a match that could be key to climbing the table. With confidence restored, the immediate goal is to maintain consistency and close the gap with the frontrunners. Supporters can check the full schedule on our fixtures page and the current squad composition on the squad section.
