River Plate seal 3-1 win over Platense in Argentina

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River Plates Colombian forward Miguel Borja firing past Platense midfielder Franco Minerva for his teams third goal in the Argentine Professional Football League Clausura Tournament at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on July 13, 2025.

PHOTO: AFP

River Plate secured a 3-1 home win over Platense in their opening match of Argentina’s Clausura championship on July 13, after the visitors were reduced to 10 men in the second half when midfielder Marcos Portillo was sent off.

River got off to the perfect start in the Group B match with a goal in the seventh minute when forward Facundo Colidio cut inside and fired home a stunning right-footed effort.

Platense equalised through forward Ronaldo Martinez’s header in the 24th minute but striker Maximiliano Salas netted 15 minutes later to restore River’s lead, flicking in a low cross from Colidio to score on his debut for the club.

Platense’s task became more difficult when Portillo was sent off in the 75th minute for elbowing Gonzalo Montiel, and Miguel Borja added a third for River in added time to wrap up a comfortable win at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.

River were playing for the first time since the Club World Cup, where they finished third in their group and failed to reach the knockout stage.

Coach Marcelo Gallardo’s side were also looking to restore some confidence after being knocked out of the Apertura tournament quarter-finals by eventual champions Platense in May.

“I’m happy. We played