In one of the most anticipated matches of the year due to all its background, River, which had been on a downward spiral due to a string of defeats, managed to prevail against a Racing that arrived on a roll after qualifying for the semifinals of the Copa Libertadores. Núñez's team won 1-0 and advanced to the semifinals of the Copa Argentina.
The Millonario started the match at full throttle, with a goal in the 5th minute by Maximiliano Salas after a great assist from Facundo Colidio, thus fulfilling the inexorable law of the ex.
After the initial cold shower, La Academia tried to find a goal back with some approaches to Armani's area; however, they were not effective. Meanwhile, amid the desperation, the Avellaneda team began to commit fouls to break up their rival's play, which led to the early yellow card for Agustín Almendra.
The minutes went by with chances for both sides, but with no effectiveness from either, and the first half ended with a second yellow card for Racing, this time to Maravilla Martínez after an elbow to the face of Juan Portillo.
Already in the second half, Muñeco made a change, taking out Juanfer Quintero for Nacho Fernández. Minutes after the substitution, River received its first yellow card of the match after a foul by Gonzalo Montiel on Santiago Sosa. La Academia, with its mind set on leveling the score, also kept committing more fouls and picked up a new yellow card after Santiago Solari's foul on Montiel himself.
