Vélez Sarsfield beat River Plate 1-0 at Estadio José Amalfitani in the sixth matchday of the Torneo Apertura 2026, with a goal from Manuel Lanzini in the fifth minute of the first half. This loss marks River's third consecutive defeat, deepening their crisis under Marcelo Gallardo. Gallardo's team suffered several injuries during the match.
In a match played in Liniers, Vélez defeated River 1-0 in the sixth round of the Torneo Apertura 2026. Manuel Lanzini's early goal in the fifth minute of the first half tipped the balance, with a shot that hit the post and went into the goal guarded by Franco Armani. Vélez, coached by Guillermo Barros Schelotto, dominated much of the first half with collective plays and effective counterattacks, while River showed disorganization and a lack of offensive ideas.
River, currently tenth in Zona B with seven points, could not turn the result around despite improving in the second half. Armani aggravated an injury at halftime and was replaced by Santiago Beltrán. Additionally, Juan Fernando Quintero left at the 27th minute of the first half due to a muscular issue, substituted by Joaquín Freitas, and Kendry Páez, who entered in the second half for Tomás Galván, lasted only 24 minutes before injuring his shoulder and being replaced by Ian Subiabre.
Marcelo Gallardo chose not to speak at the post-match press conference, surprising fans amid the team's crisis. At the end of the game, the coach showed a gesture of anger toward referee Darío Herrera over the added time. Vélez, now leaders of Zona A with 14 points, retreated in the second half and withstood River's clear chances, such as a one-on-one by Subiabre saved by Álvaro Montero.
Before the match, River had a last-minute absence: Fabricio Bustos was dropped due to a gastrointestinal issue and replaced in the squad by Ulises Giménez. The starting lineups were: Vélez with Álvaro Montero; Joaquín García, Emanuel Mammana, Lisandro Magallán, Elías Gómez; Claudio Baeza, Tobías Andrada, Lucas Robertone; Matías Pellegrini, Manuel Lanzini and Florián Monzón. River lined up Franco Armani; Gonzalo Montiel, Lucas Martínez Quarta, Paulo Díaz, Matías Viña; Aníbal Moreno, Fausto Vera, Tomás Galván; Juan Fernando Quintero; Facundo Colidio and Sebastián Driussi.
In the next matchday, River will host Banfield at the Monumental, while Vélez will face Deportivo Riestra in Liniers.
