Belgrano embitters River and wins the first elite title in its 121-year history

Belgrano de Córdoba rebelled this Sunday in the face of adversity and defeated 3-2 River Plate in the final of Argentine Apertura Tournament which has declared it champion for the first time in its 121-year history. The hero was Nicolás ‘Uvita’ Fernándezwho entered at 76 minutes and scored the last two goals in the 85th and 88th. 15 years ago, in 2011, the ‘pirates’ had crowned their return to the First Division by sending River to relegation.

Belgrano’s title at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium sounds fair. In this final he delivered the best football passages and was the one who starred the most. River dominated the result a couple of times due to two good plays that he managed to put together. But in the last half hour, with the changes, the people of Córdoba were strengthened, while the modifications to the millionaires eroded them.

The team of Eduardo Coudet suffered heavy casualties due to injuries, such as Sebastian Driussi and Gonzalo Montiel (He went to the bank, but did not enter because he is torn). Aníbal Moreno played undercover. And Marcos Acuña, who arrived with just enough and was one of the best, asked for the change when his team was ahead in the result.

Belgrano should have taken advantage of the result in the first 15, when he pressed well up and managed everything with the help of Lucas Zelarayánwho made two passes that led to dangerous situations, had Aníbal Moreno cautioned and also took a shot just wide after piling up rivals with pure dribbling. And furthermore, in that period, Emiliano Rigoni He drew a right cross that forced a great save from Santiago Beltran.

However, at 17, what a paradox, the one who shouted was River, that River that bet on long balls for the runs of Joaquín Freitas and Facundo Colidio and that he had only come close once. But Rigoni did not close well on one side, Tomás Galván overflowed alone, put the center back and Colidio pushed her.

Without deserving it, River took a key advantage, very early. It was necessary to see how Belgrano reacted to such a blow. And the people of Cordoba did not flinch. They continued to exploit Fabricio Bustos’ sector with Zelarayán’s class and tied it with a corner that Chino himself kicked at the scoring head of Leo Morales.

River, with the same formula as the first goal but with reversed roles, shouted the second when the first quarter of an hour of the second half was over: this time it was collidium that of assistance and Galvan that of the definition.

Belgrano went looking for him again, but with a couple of entries that refreshed him and turned out to be decisive. Inside Fabián Mudo Vázquez (the former Sevilla among many European clubs) and Nicolás ‘Uvita’ Fernández. And the ‘pirate’ insisted. Uvita had it, but Lucas Martínez Quarta blocked it. A shot from Ramiro Hernandes touched the corner. And the tie came with the penalty-VAR which Uvita executed in a shocking way.

However, more was missing. Belgrano sustained his momentum. And Mudo Vázquez threw himself on the floor, recovered and sent a cross that on the other side found again ‘Uvita’ Fernandez inspired, with a first-class resolution against a stick, with the definition of the championship.

River, in the eight added minutes, did what it could, with little strength and without clarity. Juanfer Quintero scored a cross like the one that ended in a goal in the round of 16 against San Lorenzo, but this time it came Leo Morales to send it to the corner just before the ball went in. And that’s it.

Eduardo Coudet, very angry

headed by Eduardo Coudetall of River protested without reason against the sanctioned penalty. There was so much anger that the former coach of the Alavés He did not go up to receive the medal, angry with the field and court referees. VAR. Meanwhile, Belgrano celebrated wildly. Logical: he was making the biggest and most impressive scream in his history.

Belgrano de Córdoba As Argentine soccer champion, he achieved a passport to the Copa Libertadores 2027 and will compete at the end of the year Champions Trophy before the winner of the Closing Tournament.