Racing Club beat River Plate 3-2 in an agonizing match for the round of 16 of the 2025 Clausura Tournament, advancing to the quarterfinals. Gustavo Costas' team staged a comeback in the second half with key goals, leaving the Millionaires without titles in a tough year. Marcelo Gallardo confirmed his continuity and granted vacation to the squad.
The match took place on Monday at the Cilindro de Avellaneda, with Facundo Tello as the main referee and broadcast on ESPN Premium. Racing opened the scoring in the 3rd minute of the first half with a header from Santiago Solari, assisted by Gabriel Rojas. River controlled possession but failed to convert clear chances, with key saves by Facundo Cambeses.
In the second half, River equalized quickly: Ian Subiabre scored in the 17th minute and Juan Fernando Quintero turned the game around in the 19th with a shot from outside the area. Racing tied it in the 27th minute via a deflection by Lucas Martínez Quarta on a shot from 'Toto' Fernández, becoming an own goal. The match was decided in the 48th minute of the second half, when Gastón Martirena scored the 3-2 after a rebound in the box.
Marcelo Gallardo, River's coach, reacted with frustration but calm in the press conference. 'I will reflect on the semester before meeting with the players', he said, confirming his continuity and granting the squad a month of vacation. River ends 2025 without titles and with slim chances of directly qualifying for the 2026 Copa Libertadores, as the Clausura champion earns that spot.
Racing, led by Gustavo Costas, will face the winner of Lanús-Tigre in the quarterfinals, to be decided on Wednesday. Before the match, Racing fans gave a hostile reception to former players like Marcos Acuña and Maximiliano Salas, now with River. Racing's Santiago Sosa played with a protective mask due to a recent facial injury.
