River Plate secure second spot in Group B with 4-1 win over Velez
River Plate secure second spot in Group B with 4-1 win over Velez
BUENOS AIRES - River Plate completed the first phase of the Argentine Primera Division Apertura tournament as runners-up in Group B with a commanding 4-1 home win over Velez Sarsfield on Sunday, setting up a last-16 clash with Barracas Central.
River's victory at the Mas Monumental stadium left them second in Group B on 31 points, four behind leaders Rosario Central. They advanced to the second phase and round of 16, where they will face Barracas, who finished seventh in Group A.
Sebastian Driussi opened the scoring for the home side in the 14th minute, capitalising on a save that fell into his path after Franco Mastantuono's shot was blocked.
Facundo Colidio doubled the lead in the 28th minute with a dazzling run beating the Velez defence before finishing with aplomb.
The third came five minutes later when goalkeeper Randall Rodriguez failed to hold Mastantuono's shot and the youngster managed to recover the ball to set up Ignacio Fernandez for a fine finish.
Velez threatened briefly before half-time when Maher Carrizo reduced the deficit with a clinical finish after latching onto Agustin Bouzat's incisive through ball on the counter-attack.
Despite the lead, Boca piled on the pressure in the second half after a heavy downpour, which did nothing to dampen the spirits of the thousands of home fans who sang their hearts out.
But the visitors defended well, with goalkeeper Rodriguez making amends by denying Fabrizio Bustos and Mastantuono, and they even went close to adding a second through Elias Gomez and Thiago Silvero.
Marcelo Gallardo's men maintained their intensity and sealed victory late on when Miguel Borja converted from the spot after Manuel Lanzini was fouled by Valentin Gomez, who was shown a red card.
Velez finished 13th with no chance of qualifying for the second phase. REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Spaun grabs early U.S. Open lead, McIlroy two back
Jun 12, 2025; Oakmont, Pennsylvania, USA; Andrew Novak plays his shot from the tenth tee during the first round of the U.S. Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images REUTERS Jun 12, 2025; Oakmont, Pennsylvania, USA; Matt Vogt plays his shot from the first tee during the first round of the U.S. Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images REUTERS Jun 12, 2025; Oakmont, Pennsylvania, USA; Bryson DeChambeau plays his shot from the tenth tee during the first round of the U.S. Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images REUTERS OAKMONT, Pennsylvania - J.J. Spaun emerged as the surprise early first-round U.S. Open leader on Thursday at Oakmont Country Club where Rory McIlroy was two shots back, defending champion Bryson DeChambeau opened with a bogey and Scottie Scheffler had yet to start. Spaun, who started on the back nine and completed 11 holes on the notoriously challenging Oakmont layout, was four under on the day without a bogey on his card and sat one shot clear of 2019 U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland (through eight holes). McIlroy reached the turn bogey-free at two under and was part of a five-player group who were in a share of third place while DeChambeau was a further two shots adrift. Much of the talk ahead of the U.S. Open was how Oakmont, with penal rough framing narrow fairways that lead to slick greens, would keep scores in check, and while many players struggled there was more red on the leaderboard than expected. McIlroy picked up his first stroke at his second hole, the par-four 11th, where he walked in a 27-foot birdie moments after getting a good read on the putt from playing partner Justin Rose, who missed his attempt to the left. The Northern Irishman followed that with his longest drive of the season, a monstrous 392-yard strike down the 12th fairway that got a helping hand by a generous bounce en route to a birdie that gave him a share of the early lead. McIlroy followed that with a string of six pars. DeChambeau got his title defence off to a shaky start with a bogey, got back to even par with a birdie at the fifth, moved into red figures with a birdie at the seventh where his approach shot settled six feet from the cup and then bogeyed the ninth. Australian Adam Scott, whose 96th consecutive major start this week is the longest streak among active players, was two under through his first 10 holes and part of the group in a share of third place. Tournament favourite Scottie Scheffler, who counts the PGA Championship among his three wins in his last four starts, will head out at 1:25 p.m. ET alongside two-times major winner Collin Morikawa and world number 14 Viktor Hovland. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Man United complete signing of Brazilian Cunha from Wolves
MANCHESTER, England - Manchester United completed the signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers, United announced on Thursday, with the Brazil forward joining on a five-year contract. United triggered Cunha's release clause, which was worth around 62.5 million pounds ($84.12 million), according to a source at the club. The Old Trafford side also have the option of extending his contract by a year. "It's hard to put into words my feelings about becoming a Manchester United player," Cunha said. "Ever since I was a child in Brazil watching Premier League games on TV at my grandmother's house, United was my favourite English team and I dreamed of wearing the red shirt. "I can't wait for the start of pre-season to get to know my teammates and prepare for the season ahead. All my focus is now on working hard to become a valuable part of the team, and helping get this club back to the top." The 26-year-old scored 33 goals and provided 15 assists in 92 appearances for Wolves, with 15 of those goals coming in the Premier League last season. Cunha helped Brazil qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday, setting up the only goal in a decisive 1-0 win at home to Paraguay. The dynamic playmaker helped Brazil qualify for the 2026 World Cup when he provided the assist for Vinicius Junior's goal in their 1-0 win over Paraguay on Tuesday. "Bringing in Matheus was one of our main priorities for this summer, so we are delighted to have completed his signing so early in the window," said United's director of football Jason Wilcox. "He has proved his ability to succeed in the Premier League as one of the most exciting and productive forwards in England during his time at Wolves. "He has all the qualities we are looking for as we seek to build a strong, dynamic and entertaining team capable of challenging for the biggest honours." United finished 15th in the Premier League last season with 42 points. The transfer is a record sale for Wolves, eclipsing the 53 million pounds they received from Manchester City for midfielder Matheus Nunes in 2023. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
4 hours ago
- Straits Times
South Africa fight back but still trail Australia by 91 runs in WTC final
Cricket - 2025 ICC World Test Championship Final - South Africa v Australia - Lord's Cricket Ground, London, Britain - June 12, 2025 South Africa's David Bedingham in action as he picks up the ball Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers REUTERS Cricket - 2025 ICC World Test Championship Final - South Africa v Australia - Lord's Cricket Ground, London, Britain - June 12, 2025 Australia's Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja in action as they attempt to take a catch to dismiss South Africa's Kyle Verreynne Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers REUTERS LONDON - South Africa fought back at the start of the second day of the World Test Championship final against Australia but had captain Temba Bavuma dismissed before going to lunch on 121-5, still trailing by 91 runs. South Africa were in a precarious position at 43-4 overnight after Australia's pace attack had run through their top order, leaving them trailing by 169 runs after the defending champions scored 212 in their first innings. But Australia's hopes of more cheap dismissals on Thursday morning were stymied by Bavuma and David Bedingham as they employed a more attacking approach to their batting and put together a 64-run partnership before Bavuma was dismissed. The skipper went for 36 after driving into the covers and being caught by a diving Marnus Labuschagne off Pat Cummins, who had figures of 2-24 off 14 overs. Bavuma, whose innings included the first six of the match, had survived an lbw decision earlier when he was on 17 and trapped by Josh Hazlewood. He took his time before deciding to review the umpire's decision, suggesting he did not hold out much hope of having it overturned, but the snickometer showed he had got bat to ball. Bedingham was 39 not out, after hitting two boundaries in the last over before lunch, along with Kyle Verreynne on 11. Verreynne had earlier nicked a Beau Webster delivery but it fell short of the slip cordon. South Africa's batting had none of the nervous defensiveness they showed at the start of their innings on Wednesday but runs still came slowly as they moved into three figures in the 45th over. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
