Nothing is decisive in a friendly match. And much less if it is the first of a new season. That’s why you have to take those good feelings that he left with a grain of salt. River Plate at the opening of its 2026, a year in which there will be huge demands for Marcelo Gallardo’s team after the terrible 2025.
More additions will surely arrive in defense and attack. And the analysis will be modified. For now, with what it has today, this other River was launched, now with many fewer historical footballers. And he won clearly and with some interesting signals to Millionaires from Colombia. It was 1-0 in the Central Park of Montevideo, in the Nacional stadium, for the Rio Series Cup of the Silver.
This first team of Marcelo Gallardo exhibited several new features. Due to Franco Armani’s injury, the starting goalkeeper was the youth Santiago Beltrán and the captain’s ribbon was worn by Juanfer Quintero. It was the debut of one of the reinforcements, Fausto Vera, the footballer who arrived to take the place of Enzo Pérez, one of the many historical players who finished his cycle. El Muñeco surprised with the debut of the interesting Facundo González as a left side marker. The attack was made up of Sebastián Driussi and Maxi Salas.
Gonzalo Montiel celebrates the penalty converted for River
River’s first 25 minutes were interesting, with prominence, intensity and situations. Juanfer came close with a free kick and another shot that went just wide. Vera tried from outside. And Giuliano Galoppo had the clearest shot, in front of the goal, but he was met with a great save from Diego Novoa. In turn, Millonarios came close with a header from Leo Castro that triggered an immense save from the kid Beltrán.
As happens in these friendlies, multiple modifications appeared in the second half. Then, the Uruguayan Matías Viña made his debut (the third reinforcement, Aníbal Moreno, is not yet physically ready). Several youth players also entered: Tomás Galván, Ian Subiabre, Agustín Ruberto…
Tomás Galván caused the penalty
Galván showed daring and was awarded the penalty that Gonzalo Montiel converted into the winning goal. Subiabre twice scored the second goal. And Ruberto worried and had another penalty, for an infraction that was committed against him, but he executed it in the middle and it was stopped. Millonarios did not get close to a tie even in the final stretch, when River was left with one man less due to the expulsion of Juan Portillo.
Thus, Marcelo Gallardo’s team captured a deserved victory, with some good feelings. Sunday will be the second friendly, against Peñarol, against a more demanding opponent, ideal to continue adjusting and drawing conclusions.
