Two pinpoint crosses from Leonardo Pisculichi and two towering headers in the second half were the key for River Plate, as it defeated Atlético Nacional 2-0 to lift the South American Cup in front of an exalted Monumental stadium. Gabriel Mercado and Germán Pezzella both found their way onto the score-sheet as the unlikely heroes of the evening, ending the Millonarios’ 17-year run without an international trophy with a win that sealed a 3-1 aggregate triumph over the Colombian challengers.
The Monumental was once more at fever pitch to greet the home players onto the pitch, with flares and a spectacular fireworks display marking the entrance of the two teams. There was a chaotic atmosphere around Núñez, which spilled over into various violent incidents outside the stadium involving police and fans attempting to enter without tickets.
And once the game had kicked off, both sides showed that they had every intention of forcing a result following a 1-1 deadlock in the first leg held in Medellín. Just two minutes into the game, River fired an early warning when Leonardo Pisculichi’s free-kick was fisted away by Nacional goalkeeper Franco Armani, the Argentine who was to play a key role during the opening 45 minutes.
The ex-Ferro and Deportivo Merlo stopper first came to prominence with an excellent one-handed save to deny Teófilo Gutiérrez. The Colombian’s snapshot was hit well, but Armani was there to push the effort round the post. On the half-hour Teo would once more come up against the in-form keeper, breaking behind the Nacional defence only to see another save frustrate him. Just 30 seconds later he was through in an almost identical move, but this time on the left foot the striker suffered a similar fate against his nemesis between the posts.
River had begun to control the flow of the game, showing the benefits of a week’s rest following the Argentine Football Association’s decision to postpone their final Transitional match against Quilmes. Fully recharged, the dynamic, high-pressing River that was so effective in the opening weeks of the season began to show its best side. But Nacional were not passive participants; young playmaker Edwin Cardona had a glorious chance to take the lead five minutes before half-time, and it took an acrobatic stop from Marcelo Barovero to keep the score level at the break.
In the final seconds of the half, Gutiérrez had the goal at his mercy after breaking through Nacional’s offside trap. Even the Colombian thought he was about to hear the whistle, judging by a tame shot that was parried away in the last action of a gripping opening to the match.
The second 45 minutes began in much the same vein, with little time to breathe in an enthralling match. Just seconds into the period Ramiro Funes Mori had hearts on edge with a mistake at the back, but the River defence recovered to stop Nacional taking advantage. Rodrigo Mora, meanwhile had been quiet early on compared to strike partner Teo, but threatened from deep with a shot that ended up harmlessly over the bar.
After 10 minutes of the second half, the game finally received the goal it richly deserved. Nacional were guilty of some awful marking as Pisculichi swung in a corner from the left-hand side, and had only themselves to blame when Gabriel Mercado met the ball with a storming header. Armani had no chance, and the Monumental erupted as River took a 1-0 lead that put the Millonarios 2-1 ahead on aggregate and on course for the South American Cup.
If the goalkeeper for the Colombian team was unhappy with the defending for the opener, he was visibly furious when River extended their lead just four minutes later. The formula was exactly the same, with Pisculichi’s wonderful ability with the dead ball and Nacional inattention combining for centre-back Germán Pezzella to power home from another River corner. The visitors’ game-plan was unraveling, as Nacional were forced to try and fight back from two painful blows in little over four minutes.
The challenge was too great for Juan Carlos Osorio’s men, who never threatened to mount a revival despite continuing to play physically and without losing heart. River coach Marcelo Gallardo was left to celebrate a famous victory as he repeated his success as a player in the 1996 Libertadores Cup with another title in the Monumental, although celebrations will be tempered by the chance to mark a double success this Sunday in the Transitional Championship.
The Millonario could be crowned champions with a victory over Quilmes should leaders Racing Club lose to Godoy Cruz, leaving the hope of closing an extraordinary 2014 with one more lap of honour for the Buenos Aires giant.
Source: Buenos Aires Herald