River Plate 4 - 2 Estudiantes: Final

By: Christian | August 29th, 2007

River Plate 4 2 Estudiantes

It may not have been the most convincing of wins, but we’ll certainly take it, as River Plate finally got their first win of the season at home to Estudiantes, winning 4-2 in an entertaining, if not technically brilliant match. A draw seemed inevitable after a late goal by Estudiantes in the 81st minute to level the score at 2-2, and Belluschi had been sent off in the 77th minute. But seconds later, Alexis Sánchez became the hero of the day with a game winning strike, capped off by a stunning goal by Falcao, who finally found the back of the net. Belluschi and Rubén scored goals in the first half.

Don’t get me wrong, a win is a win and hats off to River for being able to come from behind and with only 10 men. But it’s still evident that River is incredibly vulnerable at the back. While it was nice seeing Nasuti back in action, he still doesn’t look 100%, and his 2nd half replacement Lussenhoff was shockingly bad, IMO. Ojeda didn’t have his best game, and got caught a few times off his line, but thankfully luck was on his side. And Fernando Belluschi, just when he starts to have a great game, he commits a stupid foul and gets sent off, a challenge similar to his red card he received at San Lorenzo two weeks ago. Overall though, River were the better team on the day, though slightly, and they were able to record a win when they needed it most.

Looking forward, River play woeful Racing this Sunday at El Cilindro. While this clasico is never easy, Racing are just all over the place this season, giving up a 3 goal lead to San Lorenzo yesterday to lose 4-3. The last time we played in Avellaneda we ended up losing 3-1, but who can say what will happen this time around.

Here are the other days results:
Banfield 1 2 Lanús
Colón 2 0 Rosario Central
Olimpo 0 1 Tigre
San Lorenzo 4 3 Racing
Gimnasia (J) 1 0 Arsenal
River 4 2 Estudiantes
Independiente 2 3 Boca
Huracán 3 2 Argentinos
Gimnasia 2 0 San Martín (SJ)
Newell`s 2 0 Vélez

Independiente’s perfect run came to an end at the hands of Boca, and now things aren’t as sure as it was a few days ago. Until River make up their game against Newell’s, and depending on what the result is on Sunday, I won’t go making any predictions on whether or not they can make any kind of challenge. But the team that could cause trouble for everybody might just be Vélez, who lost today but are in 3rd, and could make a serious run at the title. Still, it’s way to early to say that anyone’s a lock.

Table

Independiente
Boca
Vélez
Banfield
Huracán
Colón
Newell`s
San Lorenzo
Estudiantes
Lanús
Gimnasia (J)
Tigre
Racing
Argentinos
San Martín (SJ)
River Plate
Gimnasia
Arsenal
Olimpo
Rosario Central