River Plate and Vélez Sarsfield played out a 2-2 draw at the Estadio Monumental in the Argentine Professional League's Clausura round six. The result keeps both sides in contention as they remain separated by just one point in the table. River Plate sit second on 29 points while Vélez Sarsfield follow closely in third with 28 points after 16 matches each.
A. Correa opened the scoring for the hosts in the 11th minute, giving River Plate an early advantage. Vélez Sarsfield responded with determination, and T. Silvero's own goal in the 43rd minute levelled the contest before the break. A. Moreno received a yellow card for the hosts in the 41st minute as tensions built.
The second half saw both teams make changes to shake up the game. S. Escobar came on for T. Aguirre in the 58th minute for the visitors, while A. Correa was substituted for River Plate in the 70th minute. D. Valdes restored Vélez Sarsfield's lead in the 61st minute before M. Lanzini equalised in the 79th minute.
Statistically, River Plate dominated possession with 57 per cent but created fewer clear-cut opportunities. They registered three shots on target with an expected goals figure of 0.55, while Vélez Sarsfield were more clinical with four shots on target and 0.96 expected goals. The visitors created three big chances compared to none for the hosts.
E. Gomez and L. Martinez Quarta picked up yellow cards in the second half as the match grew increasingly physical. Both sides made late substitutions, with R. Aliendro appearing twice for Vélez Sarsfield in stoppage time. The draw extends both teams' unbeaten runs and keeps the title race open.
