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River and Libertad Draw 0-0 in Asunción, Return Leg Set for Monumental

Gallardo’s makeshift defence held firm thanks to Armani’s reflex saves, setting the stage for a decisive second leg in Buenos Aires.

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Overview

  • River’s defensive absences, including Germán Pezzella’s season-ending knee injury, forced an unusual Boselli-Díaz centre-back pairing.
  • Franco Armani produced a series of reflex saves in the first half to preserve the goalless draw and maintain River’s away clean sheet.
  • Marcelo Gallardo’s halftime substitutions—Ignacio Fernández, Juanfer Quintero and Sebastián Driussi—lifted River’s second-half performance and generated clear scoring chances.
  • The tie remains level ahead of the return leg at the Monumental on 21 August, where River must manage ongoing injury concerns alongside domestic fixtures.
  • The winner of this round will advance to face Palmeiras in the quarterfinals, highlighting the strategic importance of the upcoming home match.