Clausura 2008: Colon 1 – 2 River Plate

By: Christian | June 1st, 2008

With River a man down early in the first half against Colón in Santa Fe, and Estudiantes leading 1-0 against Huracan, things were not looking good for los millonarios this afternoon. But a heroic performance in the second half capped off a tense and dramatic turnaround of events, with River winning 2-1, and coupled with Huracan pulling even against Estudiantes, means that we are now in sole possession of first place, clear by 2 points, with 2 matches left to play and destiny clearly in our hands.

It certainly didn’t look that way in the first half, with both teams playing poorly, and too many fouls being called against River. With Leo Ponzio sent off in the 18th minute after receiving his second yellow (dissent?), it was clear that Diego Simeone simply wanted to get out of the first 45 unscathed and regroup during halftime.

So as is the custom this season, River, who survived the first half with the scoreline 0-0, came out completely re-energized in the second. Alexis Sánchez, quiet in recent weeks, replaced an average Diego Buonanotte, gave River another dimension in attack, and the squad overall showed a new spirit. But it was, who else, Ariel Ortega who expertly setup the unlikely Cristian Villagra whose golazo put River ahead in the 56th minute. Sánchez looked to put the game away in the 75th minute after slamming the ball into the back of the net, but when Colón pulled one back 3 minutes later (should not have counted as there was an uncalled offside prior to the corner that led to it), it was game on.

The final 10 minutes plus 4 minutes added time were some of the most excruciating yet, with River clearly gassed and desperately playing to hold on to the lead, and Colón throwing everything they had at River’s defense. And who came to rescue in those final agonizing minutes? Only Juan Pablo Carrizo and Oscar Ahumada, two players vilified the past month, yet both of whom had key saves in the final minutes to deny Colón the draw. The whistle finally blew, the River fans rejoiced as one, the squad hugged each other in celebration, and with the news of Estudiantes dropping two points in La Paternal, the reality set in: River are 2 victories away from the Clausura.

What a dramatic and emotional game. Not the prettiest football, that we’ve known all season long. But la banda left it all on the pitch in Santa Fe, knowing what was needed and not packing it in despite being a man down, the squad banded together and did what was necessary.

Just think about it: if los millonarios win their next game against Olimpo, and should Estudiantes lose, River would win their 33rd league title at the Monumental. Could this really be happening? Believe it because it is. We’ve clawed our way to this point, and now 2 games stand between us and victory.

Cuanto Daria Por Gritar River CAMPEON!!!

River Plate:
Juan Pablo Carrizo
Danilo Gerlo, Leonardo Ponzio, Gustavo Cabral
Paulo Ferrari, Oscar Ahumada, Matías Abelairas, Cristian Villagra
Ariel Ortega (Andrés L. Ríos, 74th), Diego Buonanotte (Alexis Sánchez, 53rd)
Sebastián Abreu (Augusto Fernández, 67th)