Partidazo: River Plate 5-4 Argentinos Juniors, 1985-86

26 January 1986, River Plate faced reigning Argentine and South American champions Argentinos Juniors at the Estadio Monumental.In a spectacular game.


The first half belonged to the hosts as River Plate established a 3-0 lead at half time with goals from Luis Amuchástegui, a great goal from Enzo Francescoli and another from Luis Enrique.

In the second half Argentinos then pulled it back to 3-2 with a penalty from Mario Videla and a fantastic diving header from Carlos Ereros. River Plate regained their two goal advantage when they were awarded a hotly contested fourth goal which did seem to cross the line despite the heroic effort of Argentinos goalkeeper Enrique Vidallé. River were then denied a 5th goal on the counter attack by a lung busting run from current Argentina manager Sergio Batista.

Argentinos made it 4-3 after River Plate goalkeeper Sergio Goycochea fumbled Videla's header into the net. Amuchástegui came within inches of registering his hat-trick but his lob bounced agonisingly over the crossbar before Fracescoli scored his second and River's 5th of the game. There was still time for Videla to claim his hat-trick with a second penalty but River Plate held on to claim a famous 5-4 victory.

Aftermath

River Plate won the 1985-86 championship by a huge margain of 10 points (back in the 2 points for a win era). Having taken Argentinos league title, River eliminated them from the Copa Libertadores in the semi final group stage, before going on to win the Libertadores for the first time in their history beating América de Cali in the final. River Plate enjoyed the next decade, winning numerous league championships while their fierce rivals Boca Juniors endured the longest dry spell in their history.

Argentinos Juniors fared less well, they went from being league and continental champions in 1985 to playing in the 2nd division by 1995. They eventually re-established themselves in the top flight and eventually ended their 25 year wait for another league title by winning the Clausura 2010 championship under manager Claudio Borghi who had played for Argentinos Juniors in their multi championship winning team and in this incredible game.

For more great games involving South American teams, check out the rest of the Partidazo series.