Julián Álvarez does not forgive from step twelve. Picture Maxi Failla
When scoring from the penalty spot, Álvarez confirmed River’s one hundred percent validity from 12 steps this year. So far in 2022, Marcelo Gallardo’s team has been given 10 penalties and all have been converted. Four of them by Enzo Fernández, four more by Juanfer Quintero and two more by Julián, who made one for Gimnasia also at Monumental.
Aside from the controversy, Alvarez grabbed the ball, pointed inside his right foot and converted the penalty goal. This is goal number 45 for “Araña”, who ended his drought with a hat-trick in Junín last week.
This time, Julián oversaw the execution, as Gallardo had requested in the match against Atlético Tucumán when Enzo Fernández opened the penalty account. At that time, Manika wanted to kick a “9” so he could end his bad streak without converting. Yesterday, more relaxed after goals against Sarmiento in Junín, Cordovan kicked very quietly and put the ball into the net with quality.
That goal – the one that gave River the victory – came without the local team being able to enter the Platense area. It was hard for him to break the lock on Omar De Felippe’s team. But the changes gave him more mobility and space appeared. Elías Gómez entered like a storm and when he was about to send the cross, Ignacio Schor fell at his feet and fell on the left side of River. Patricio Loustau did not hesitate. And although the images left doubts, from the VAR, Facundo Tello upheld the court referee’s decision because one of the plans was seen hitting the left knee. The issue is whether that little contact is enough to knock down the River player. And that’s what the Platense players strongly protested, leaving Núñez furious with the referees. Meanwhile, River fans were pleased with the victory and another goal from Julián.
Source: Clarin
