Rosario Central beat River Plate through an Otamendi own goal

Rosario Central beat River Plate 1-0 after Nicolás Otamendi scored an own goal. River controlled possession and produced more shots, but could not beat the visiting goalkeeper.

Emanuel Coronel was sent off late after receiving a second yellow card. Rosario protected the lead through seven added minutes and completed the away win.

A tense opening produced several cards

The match began with frequent duels and little space in midfield. Joaquín Freitas received a yellow card after five minutes. River defender Lautaro Rivero received a yellow card soon afterwards. Fausto Vera was also booked before the twentieth minute. Those warnings showed how aggressively both teams contested the central areas. Neither side wanted the opponent to carry the ball freely toward goal. Rosario used Ángel Di María and Jaminton Campaz around Enzo Copetti. River placed attacking midfielders behind its central forward. River held more of the ball but did not find an early finish. Rosario stayed close between defence and midfield. The visitors were prepared to attack quickly after turnovers. Their compact shape also forced River into shots from less comfortable positions.

The only goal arrived in the twenty-seventh minute. Otamendi sent the ball into his own net and gave Rosario the advantage. The mistake changed the demands on both sides. River now had to break down a defence that could protect a lead. Rosario did not open the match after scoring. The visitors kept their lines close and allowed River to hold possession away from goal. Coronel received his first yellow card in the thirty-fourth minute. Lucas Martínez Quarta was also booked before half-time. River reached the interval behind despite controlling the ball. Rosario had accepted pressure without allowing a clear equaliser. The own goal remained the difference because River’s final actions lacked accuracy. The home side produced volume without the required finish.

River pressure met a strong goalkeeping display

River finished with six shots on target and seventeen attempts off target. Rosario’s goalkeeper saved every accurate effort. The home side also won ten corners. Those set pieces created repeated pressure but did not change the score. Rosario produced three shots on target and relied less on possession. The visitors used only thirty-five percent of the ball.

River introduced Lucas Beltrán and Federico Navarro during the second half. The changes refreshed midfield and attack without opening the central defence. Di María received a yellow card before leaving late in the match. Rosario replaced attacking players with fresh defenders and midfielders. Each passing minute increased the value of Rosario’s earlier organisation. River kept attacking but could not turn pressure into a clean finish.

Rosario survived Coronel’s dismissal

Coronel received his second yellow card in the eighty-third minute. Rosario had to finish the match with ten players. The visitors responded by narrowing the spaces near their penalty area. Facundo Mallo replaced Di María as Rosario protected the final minutes. River pushed defenders forward and continued crossing. The extra pressure still did not beat the visiting goalkeeper. Seven minutes of stoppage time extended the contest. Rosario cleared the last deliveries and avoided a late defensive mistake. River ended with more possession, more corners and more shots. None of those advantages changed the decisive number on the scoreboard. Rosario’s victory came through discipline after one fortunate moment. The own goal provided the lead, while the collective defence secured it.

River increased its shooting after the own goal. Ledesma saved every accurate attempt and kept the visitors in front. Otamendi tried to clear a dangerous ball and instead sent it beyond his goalkeeper. The mistake remained the only goal. River introduced Correa and other attacking options from the bench. Rosario answered with fresh midfielders and another central defender. Coronel’s second yellow card left Rosario with ten players. Ledesma and the defenders then handled the final crosses during added time. Ángel Di María remained an outlet until his late substitution. His passes helped Rosario move the ball away from its own area. The final whistle confirmed River’s fifth consecutive defeat. Rosario left the Monumental with a clean sheet and three points.

The teams had already met twice during the year

Their first league meeting finished without a goal in Rosario. River later won the Apertura semi-final through Colidio’s penalty. The league return produced a third pattern. Rosario scored first, River chased the game, and the visitors protected the narrow margin.

Otamendi and Correa were recent additions to River’s squad. The loss increased pressure after a difficult run of results. Rosario left the Monumental with a league victory. It followed an earlier cup defeat against the same opponent.