While all top three teams won this past Sunday in Futbol Argentino, River Plate’s (5-0) domination of San Lorenzo at home in the Monumental was a goal shower. In a heavy down pour that made for very quick and slick conditions, it was River Plate that adjusted the quickest to the conditions and stunned San Lorenzo with two goals in the opening 10 min. 

Victor Zapata opened the scoring in the 6th min., rising at the far post to head home a cross from the right. River followed 2 min. later with their second goal from Ernesto Farias in the 8th min. Gallardo forced an interception from a San Lorenzo defensive throw-in; Zapata then kept the fight alive by heading on to Farias, who struck his first goal of the tournament with a shot across the keeper to the far post with his left foot.

San Lorenzo’s coach, Oscar Ruggeri, fearing the worst—a flood of goals—appeared immediately from the dugout shouting and demanding a better response from his players.

After some pressure and composure from San Lorenzo, River Plate carved out another excellent chance with Gallardo chest trapping into space and then cutting past a few defenders, but his well struck drive was denied in the 30th min. by the San Lorenzo keeper.

San Lorenzo felt they should have had a penalty in the 32nd min., but the referee waved it off for what he must have deemed simulation. One minute later San Lorenzo was awarded a penalty, however, as the River keeper was adjudged harshly to have taken out the striker though he had already saved the ball. San Lorenzo keeper then stepped up to the spot kick, but the River keeper was able to make the all important save.

The 2nd half provided much of the same as River Plate continued their fast-pace attacking tempo. Zapata scored his second goal in the 62nd min. River striker Higuain dispossessed a San Lorenzo defender and played a lead ball into Belluschi, who with sliding brilliance was able to release Zapata, who chipped classically out of the reach of the onrushing keeper.

Ariel Ortega was introduced to the game and provided instant impact as his cross set up a River teammate perfectly though the player could only scuff his shot on goal. “Burrito” then set the stadium alive as he took a chipped pass out of the air 1st time (beating the defender) and then finished off his dribble with a masterful chip that beat out the keeper and snuggled into the back side netting.

Fellow substitute Mendez helped finish the deluge as his inch perfect cross found Ernesto Farias, who also scored his 2nd of the game, for a close range snap header.

With Boca Juniors picking up another 3 pts. in the mid-week, Saturday’s pivotal match between Estudiantes and River Plate becomes even more important in keeping pace with Boca. River will be on the road, but they hope to bring their goal shower with them.

Carvings from the Dagger

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 9th, 2006 at 1:44 am and is filed under Soccer World, Argentina. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.