Mastantuono is much more than the jewel of Gallardo's new River: he plays, he makes others play, he is making friends with the goal and he even sacrifices himself to recover

Whenever asked, Marcelo Gallardo tries to relieve Franco Mastantuono of the responsibility of leading River Plate due to his youth, as he is just taking the first steps of a career that aims very high. However, the 17-year-old, a star who inspires something different in the fans every time he touches the ball, does nothing but contradict the coach: he plays, he makes others play, he is making friends with the goal, and he is even sacrificing himself to contribute to the recovery.

In a confusing first half, when El Millonario was as lethal in the opponent's box as he was weak in his own, all the balls went through number 30. Focused on the right, he looked to drive inside from there, either to combine passes with Nacho Fernández - his best partner - or to filter through to Sebastián Driussi or Facundo Colidio, and the most dangerous chances came from his feet.

A precisely executed corner kick into the heart of the box found the head of Lucas Martínez Quarta , and Driussi then made it 1-0. Then, with a 'Burrito' Ortega-style twist of the waist, he set up Fabricio Bustos , and a cross from the right back led to Luis Zárate's own goal to equalize.

And, since he has a huge personality in addition to football, he took charge of the penalty that was awarded to him and scored the 3-2 in stoppage time of the first half.

#LIBERTADORESxFoxSports | RIVER GOAL! Mastantuono's penalty makes it 3-2 against Independiente del Valle.

Experience the CONMEBOL Libertadores on Fox Sports pic.twitter.com/OBBuSutX3d

— Fox Sports Argentina (@FOXSportsArg) May 16, 2025

In this way, Mastantuono became the first player under 18 to score three goals for River Plate in the Copa Libertadores. He surpassed Javier Saviola and Fernando Cavenaghi, who each scored two. Overall, he was the fourth player to achieve this feat, following Gustavo Neffa (Olimpia), Diego Rubio (Colo Colo), and Endrick (Palmeiras).

The kid from Azul, who played tennis when he was younger, was later replaced by Manuel Lanzini and celebrated from the bench after a 6-2 scoreline. Naturally, he was cheered from all sides.