Overview

• River broke a six-year shootout skid by eliminating Libertad in the Copa Libertadores and Unión in the Copa Argentina to reach both quarterfinals.
• Armani saved one kick against Libertad and two against Unión, stopping three of nine attempts across the two series.
• He said his pre-penalty routine focuses on giving teammates belief, adding with humility that “dos penales atajo.”
• The goalkeeper now describes penalties as a mental duel prepared through analysis of run-ups, postures, tendencies and mechanics.
• Next up are quarterfinals versus Palmeiras in the Libertadores and Racing in the Copa Argentina, with a brief FIFA-window pause before visiting Estudiantes on September 13.