Analysis The numbers behind the result
River Plate ruthless despite marginal xG edge
River Plate's 3-0 victory slightly exceeded their 1.16 xG, while Belgrano Cordoba underperformed their 1.08 xG, suggesting the scoreline flattered the visitors but rewarded clinical finishing. Despite just 58% possession and only two more shots (14 vs 12), River Plate converted three of seven shots on target (42.9% conversion) compared to Belgrano's zero from four. Their breakthrough came via Tomás Ezequiel Galván's 45+3' strike, with assists proving decisive - Gonzalo Montiel and Lucas Beltran teed up the first two goals before Galván returned the favour for Thiago Almada's 72nd-minute clincher.
The key differential was shot placement: while Belgrano managed more shots inside the box (11 vs 9), River Plate placed 50% of their efforts on target versus Belgrano's 33%. Belgrano's discipline issues (three yellows to River's two) and wasted set-pieces (just four corners from 17 free kicks) compounded their inefficiency. River Plate's seven corners from 58% possession shows smarter ball progression into dangerous areas.
The defining stat: River Plate scored from their only two big chances while Belgrano failed to convert either of theirs.