River Plate took all three points away from Progreso in their Group Stage 1 encounter in the Copa Uruguay on Wednesday evening. The Uruguayan visitors won 2-0 at the Estadio 18 de Julio, with goals from D. Vera and I. Lopez. The result gives the away side a solid start to their campaign in the tournament.
Progreso had little time to settle before going behind. D. Vera found the net in the third minute, catching the home side off guard. The early strike settled River Plate's nerves and allowed them to control the tempo from the start. By then, Progreso had already begun to play catch-up.
The visitors doubled their advantage on the final whistle. I. Lopez scored in the ninetieth minute to seal the victory as the home side pushed for a consolation. The goal came late, but the margin was already sufficient. River Plate had seen out the game with composure.
Progreso dominated possession at 57 per cent but struggled to convert their numbers into clear chances. They registered 143 attacks and five shots off target, yet only two shots hit the mark. River Plate, with 43 per cent possession, managed seven shots on target from 94 attacks. To be fair, efficiency often matters more than volume in these situations.
The result extends Progreso's difficult run, with defeats to Club Nacional and Deportivo Maldonado in recent weeks. River Plate arrive with steadier form, including a 3-0 win over Miramar and a clean sheet against Paysandú. The score leaves the visitors two points ahead in the group standings, a gap that could prove decisive when the group concludes.
