River Plate from Argentina kicked off their Copa Libertadores 2025 campaign on the right foot, edging out Universitario de Deportes 1-0 in Lima. With this result, the Argentine side joins Barcelona de Ecuador at the top of Group B.

The only goal of the match came in the 17th minute when Paulo Díaz capitalized on a loose ball in the box after a corner kick, beating Uruguayan goalkeeper Sebastián Britos. Despite Universitario’s efforts, they showed more grit than creativity in the second half and couldn’t find the equalizer.

River controlled, Universitario’s response came too late

From the start, River Plate took charge, keeping possession and shutting down Universitario's attacking attempts. Their game plan focused on quick offensive plays, especially down the right flank, where Ecuadorian José Carabalí and center-back César Inga struggled throughout the match.

The home side had only one clear chance in the first half when Andy Polo fired a powerful shot over the crossbar. In the second half, Gabriel Costa forced Franco Armani into a tough save with a long-range effort after a well-placed pass from Jairo Concha.

Despite Universitario’s pressure, River nearly doubled their lead in the 70th minute when Meza's strike rattled the right post. Then, in the 85th minute, Alex Valera had the equalizer at his feet, but Armani pulled off a crucial save to secure the win.

What’s next in Group B

For the second matchday, Universitario will travel to face Independiente del Valle, while River Plate will host Barcelona de Ecuador in a key battle for the top spot.