Belgrano makes history, beats River Plate and wins the Argentine Championship
Belgrano wrote the most important chapter in its history this Sunday (24). In a busy final at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium, in Córdoba, the team beat River Plate 3-2, coming from behind, and won the Argentine Championship Apertura Tournament title for the first time.
The achievement ends the Córdoba club's 121-year wait for a first division national title. In addition to the cup, Belgrano also guaranteed a place in the 2027 Copa Libertadores and the Champions Trophy.
River were twice ahead on the scoreboard, but saw striker Nicolás Fernández come off the bench to completely change the decision in the final minutes. The number 9 scored in the 40th and 43rd minutes of the second half to seal the historic turnaround.
About the match
River started better and opened the scoring in the 18th minute of the opening stage. After a play built on the left, Tomás Galván found Facundo Colidio inside the area, and the striker completed the goal.
Belgrano's equalizer came shortly after. At 26, Lucas Zelarayán took a corner and Leonardo Morales appeared free to head it and leave everything equal in front of a packed Mario Kempes Stadium.
When the break came around, River took control of the match again and regained the lead after 14 minutes. Colidio served Galván, who invaded the area and finished with a cross to make it 2-1.
When the title seemed headed towards River, Belgrano grew in the final minutes. At 40, the referee awarded a penalty after a VAR review for a handball inside the area. Nicolás Fernández took a firm shot and tied the decision.
Shortly later, at 43, Franco Vázquez crossed low from the left and Fernández appeared again to finish and declare Belgrano's comeback. In stoppage time, River still tried to put pressure on balls raised into the area, but were unable to avoid defeat.
"Ghost of 2011" returns to haunt River
The final also carried symbolic weight for both clubs. It was precisely against Belgrano, in 2011, that River Plate suffered the first relegation in its history to the Argentine second division.
Throughout the week, the Argentine press recalled the episode as a chance for "rematch" for the Buenos Aires club. The script, however, ended again on a bitter note for the Millionaires.
Belgrano's historic campaign
The Apertura title of the Argentine Championship crowns an unlikely campaign for Belgrano in the playoffs. The team advanced to the knockout stage without an advantage and eliminated important rivals on the way to the decision.
Before the final, the club beat their biggest rival, Talleres, in the Córdoba derby. They then eliminated Unión and finally beat Argentinos Juniors on penalties.
FIFA surprises and ends partnership with Panini; find out details
Source: CNN