Player treats fight in Nacional x River Plate as “beauty of Libertadores” and praises Daronco | liberators

The 2-2 draw between Nacional and River Plate in Conmebol Libertadores, on Tuesday night, was marked by a clash in the second half, as a result of a harsh tackle by Lozano, right-back of the Uruguayan team, on Aliendro, midfielder of the Argentine team. Without sending anyone off, Brazilian referee Anderson Daronco was praised by the hosts, in a statement by defender Polenta treating the widespread fight as a symbol of the competition.

– The Copa Libertadores is like this. They reacted because they thought (Lozano) was mean and we weren’t far behind. These are football things, and that’s the beauty of the World Cup too. Congratulations also to the judge who let us play. That’s football: leaving a player. It’s Copa Libertadores. Here (in the Uruguayan Championship) this could happen and three people would be sent off. Then we all ended up hugging each other as always – commented Polenta.

Polenta also told what she talked to Daronco at the end of the match, once again praising the Brazilian:

– I told him that I was bad too, not just him. Evil face I’ve seen thousands in my life. He has muscle, yes, but I respect him because I consider him one of the best referees in America today – said the defender.

The move that generated River Plate’s ire happened 15 minutes into the second half. Lozano made a frontal attack on Aliendro and confusion soon ensued on the field. Daronco was called to the VAR monitor to analyze a possible red card – defender Romero also tried to punch an opponent in the face – but the referee upheld the decision and did not send anyone off.

Nacional lost 2-0, thanks to goals from Borja and Colidio in the first half, and snatched a draw after the controversial move. In a blackout for the Argentine team, Carneiro found the net twice in the space of two minutes.

With the draw, River wasted the chance to qualify for the Libertadores knockout stage two rounds in advance and also to secure a place in the 2025 Club World Cup according to the FIFA rankings. The next opportunity to achieve such feats will be next Tuesday, when they host Libertad at Monumental de Núñez.

River leads group H with 10 points. Nacional is in second place, with 7. Libertad (4) and Deportivo Táchira (1) complete it.