River Plate and Boca Juniors tied 1-1 the Superclasico this Sunday, with goals by Pablo Solari for the Millionarios and Cristian Medina for the Xeneizes. The two biggest clubs in Argentine football wrote another chapter of their storied rivalry, but neither was able to secure the win in a hard-fought, fast-paced game.

River was superior from kick off, seeing more of the ball as Boca looked set for a counter-attacking game. It was a former Boca youth player who had the biggest chance of the first half. River striker Facundo Colidio controlled a headed ball by Claudio Echeverri, twisted and shot on the edge of the box, with the ball crashing into the post.

The game was hard fought, with both sides stopping action with fouls. Despite being his first Superclásico, referee Yael Falcón Pérez kept a short leash on the game and didn’t allow tempers to flare.

As the game progressed, Boca gained control of the match. Good moves out wide by midfielders Jabes Saralegui and Kevin Zenón kept the Millionarios guessing, while the rest of the midfield looked to block River’s moves in the center of the pitch, where Echeverri was the key man.

Despite a very intense first half, goals would come in the second. Just three minutes into the second half, a long ball by River defender Enzo Díaz found Solari running into space and into the box. Boca goalkeeper Sergio Romero saved his first effort but the striker was able to tap in the rebound for the 1-0.

The goal allowed River to dominate the game — but just when it was at its best, Boca came back. Xeneize head coach Diego Martínez, who was making his Superclásico debut, looked to change things, bringing on the more dynamic Luca Langoni up front in the place of Edinson Cavani. 

In the 24th minute, fullback Lautaro Blanco pushed deep on the left and put in a low cross for midfielder Medina, who was able to shoot into an empty net to tie it 1-1. 

Both sides kept pushing for a result, but neither was able to break the deadlock. 

Martínez was happy with his team, despite the result. “River always plays like this, on the attack. We struggled during the first couple minutes because they press high up the pitch, and when that happens you have to be prepared to endure a tough time.”

“When we managed to impose ourselves, it became a back and forth game. I think over the 90 minutes it ended up being a balanced game and either team could’ve won. The team was determined and showed courage to come to this stadium and stand our ground.”

River head coach Martín Demichelis disagreed. “River deserved a bit more from the game. We’re not happy with the tie,” he said, criticizing Martinez’s decision to bring on more defensive players near the end of the game to counter-attack. 

“As River coach I can’t field seven defenders, because I would be disrespecting the club’s history. We may lose, but we also look to attack.”

With this result, River ties with Independiente at the top of the Copa de la Liga group A on 13 points, while Boca, with 10, could lose yet more ground to group B leaders Godoy Cruz.