Platense had divine justice at the Monumental: they eliminated River on penalties despite the referee's gross error and will play against San Lorenzo.

In a crazy match, Platense pulled off the final blow of the Apertura Tournament quarterfinals, which saw all the visitors win . El Calamar delivered the coup at the Monumental, eliminating River on penalties after a controversial 1-1 draw in the 90 minutes and will play the semifinals against San Lorenzo at the Nuevo Gasómetro. Marcelo Gallardo 's team played a weak game, their momentum stalled, and they lost their chances of a comeback in the first half, unless they make history at the Club World Cup against the powerful Europeans.

Schor's penalty, which secured Platense's qualification, dampened the excitement at the Monumental stadium. It sparked a lengthy celebration on the pitch by the players dressed in brown after a series in which Cozzani saved one from Driussi, but the turning point came when Castaño hit the post. Armani, who had saved one earlier, was called for an advance on Zapiola's shot, which he converted in the rematch.

The Monumental stadium was a hive of activity . Platense had qualification in their pocket until the final ball of the night, the one Marcos Acuña sent in with a long, cross-shot, which Mastantuono headed into the box, but Borja couldn't catch because Salomón raised his leg and awarded him a penalty. The 17-year-old took charge and sent the match to a penalty shootout, while Platense's players exploded at referee Yael Falcón Pérez for claiming a throw-in at the start of the play. Also, added time.

The visiting players were right about the first point , as the ball had hit Martínez Quarta before going out of bounds. They weren't right about the other, because the 9 minutes added (first 6 and then 3 more) were logical, as Platense slowed the game down considerably. In any case, the officiating was very poor .

This Platense team is fierce . They had already demonstrated this by beating Racing in Avellaneda. And this Wednesday in Núñez, the match unfolded exactly as planned by the Orsi-Gómez coaching duo. With all 10 players behind the ball and prepared to fight and resist, Platense took to the Monumental against a River Plate team that had a few less gears than in recent matches. The duo's team ran, scored, and fought for every ball as if it were their last.

They also resorted to their usual tricks: stalling and, at times, playing on the edge of the rules . In any case, they didn't need a sniper to mark Franco Mastantuono and company, as Orsi and Gómez had joked during the week, but Platense did put in a strong effort. They showed order, sacrifice, and discipline, even though they were riddled with fouls. Of course, they also took advantage of River's poor night.

Gallardo's team felt the strain of the string of matches . The ball didn't flow with the speed of other games, they lacked mobility, and they were short on ideas. At the same time, the midfield didn't have the dynamics of other matches. Nacho appeared intermittently, and Castaño was disconnected.

Platense's coaching duo took note this week of what's most difficult for River and found the right moment to hurt them. Long balls through the middle of the central defense are a real headache for River. And when Herrera's long ball came out, a series of failed moves followed for the home team, culminating in Taborda—on loan from Boca Juniors—taking the final shot in the one-on-one against Armani.

In the second half, the home side pushed the ball forward with more momentum than football . They piled up players. But it wasn't enough. Neither was their 74% possession. "Move, River, move," chants came from the stands, more in encouragement than in protest. But the team struggled to respond. And Platense felt secure, supported by their goalkeeper and center backs. Until that final play when Mastantuono rescued River. But in the penalty shootout, the Millionaires suffered their karma again .