BUENOS AIRES —
In Marcos Acuña’s official debut at River Plate, the millionaires tied 0-0 with Newell’s Old Boys at the Monumental on Sunday for the twelfth round of the Argentine Professional Football League.
River Plate now has 17 points and is seven points behind leader Huracán. Newell’s is in the bottom half with 12.
The millionaires had advanced to the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores by beating Talleres 2-1 last Wednesday.
Acuña, world champion with Argentina in Qatar 2022, played his first official match with the red band. River lined up three members of that squad against Newell’s: Acuña, Franco Armani and Germán Pezzella.
The millionaires struggled to find offensive fluidity in the first half.
In the second half, the home team was more persistent in attack. Claudio Echeverri’s entry gave them more play on offense.
The millionaire’s top scorer Miguel Ángel Borja was unable to define well against the exit of the red-and-black goalkeeper, Lucas Hoyos, at 59 minutes.
“I’m happy to be back in Argentine football. The match was very tight, very physical,” said Acuña after the game. “I found a great club.”
Regarding River’s performance in the Libertadores, he commented: “I came to a club that is a cup winner.”
“(Coach Marcelo) Gallardo convinced me when we spoke and here I am,” he added.
Racing and Independiente drew 0-0 at La Academia stadium in a classic match in Avellaneda with the white and blue team dominating. The reds finished the derby with nine players. Adrián Martínez, the white and blue forward, had a great chance in front of goal in the 74th minute.
Damián Pérez was sent off in the 28th minute for a last-ditch foul. Federico Vera was sent off in the 88th minute for his second yellow card.
Independiente maintains its superiority in the classic that has been played 215 times since 1931, the year professionalism began in Argentine football. The reds won 84, the white-and-blues 62 and drew 69 times.
San Lorenzo beat Talleres 2-0 at the Nuevo Gasómetro in a duel between clubs eliminated from the Libertadores. The Catalans lost 1-0 to Atlético Mineiro in Belo Horizonte last Tuesday.
Alexis Cuello took advantage of a pass into space from Nicolás Tripicchio to define and score the first in the 35th. Elián Irala extended the lead with a violent left-footed shot from outside the area in the 76th.
Lanús and Godoy Cruz tied 1-1 in a very entertaining match that could have been a victory for both. The Granates scored with a goal by Walter Bou with a touch with an empty net at 20. The Tombino goal was a direct free kick by Gonzalo Abrego at 81.
Huracán, the sole leader with 24 points, tied 0-0 away with Argentinos Juniors (Pablo Guede resigned as coach and Cristian Zermatten took over as interim) on Saturday. Atlético Tucumán, which has 22 points, could surpass them on Monday if it defeats Rosario Central at the Gigante de Arroyito.
Unión, which also has 22 points, was beaten 5-1 by Tigre in its visit to Victoria and is now two points behind the quemeros.
Boca Juniors, already eliminated from the Copa Sudamericana by Cruzeiro of Brazil, will face Estudiantes at the stadium on Avenida 1 on Monday.
Other results: Independiente Rivadavia 0, Platense 2 (Friday); Deportivo Riestra 2, Sarmiento 1; Instituto 4, Defensa y Justicia 1 (Saturday).
Upcoming matches: Barracas Central-Vélez Sarsfield, Central Córdoba (SdE)-Banfield, Belgrano-Gimnasia La Plata (Monday).
Standings: Hurricane 24 points; Athletic Club Tucuman, Union 22; Velez, Racing, Institute 21; Workshops 20; Riestra 18; Boca, River, Lanus 17; Godoy Cruz, Belgrano 16; Students, Rosario Central, Platense, Independent Rivadavia, Independent 15; Sarmiento, Tigre 13; Newell’s 12; San Lorenzo, Banfield 10; Barracas, Defense 8; Central Cordoba 5.
