Free kick stunners give Liverpool victory in the Montevideo derby
Liverpool Montevideo continued their unbeaten start to the season with a comeback 3-2 win against River Plate in the Uruguay Primera Division.
¡VAMOOOOOOOOOOOS! ⚫🔵 #TodosJuntos pic.twitter.com/WdYvvx2Tv2
— Liverpool F.C. (@LiverpoolFC1915) March 14, 2021
First half
The league leaders fell behind when Nicolas Rodriguez hit an unstoppable swerving shot from 25 yards out that goalkeeper Sebastian Lentinelly had no chance with.
Liverpool grew into the game and equalised in the 18th minute when Fabian Davila’s header from a long throw looped over Lucas Machado in the River Plate goal.
The visitors almost regained the lead when Thiago Borbas burst past two defenders but he was denied in a one-on-one by Lentinelly.
River Plate were much on top and creating chances but were not precise in front of goal. Borbas played a through ball that set Matias Arezo clear but he blazed over from close range.
The hosts then capitalised on the missed opportunities and went ahead just before half time. Gonzalo Viera fouled Agustin Ocampo just outside the penalty area and Cristian Almeida stepped up. He bent a pinpoint free kick over the wall and into the far corner.
Second half
In the second half it was more of the same with Borbas heading just wide after some enterprising play from River Plate.
Ribair Rodriguez then jumped highest to head River Plate level in the 53rd minute.
However, there was more free kick brilliance to come. Franco Romero stepped up this time and curled a low precise shot into the bottom corner to score his third of the season.
Ocampo nearly caught Machado out with an outrageous chip from 25 yards out. The goalkeeper had to backtrack and just about kept the ball in front of the goal-line.
What it means
Liverpool held on to win their fourth game out of their last five and their eighth of the Clausura season. Marcelo Mendez’s side have 28 points from 12 games and remain unbeaten.
💥 ¡GANÓ LIVERPOOL!
Liverpool 3 vs 2 @cariverplateuru
⚽️ Agustín Dávila
⚽️ Christian Almeida
⚽️ Franco Romero #SomosLiverpool pic.twitter.com/5KdV23PLuD— Liverpool F.C. (@LiverpoolFC1915) March 14, 2021
Their lead has increased after Nacional slipped up against Danubio. River Plate drop to seventh after back-to-back defeats.
