At the Monumental stadium, the first leg of the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals between River Plate and Palmeiras was defined in the first half by the Brazilian side’s efficiency. In the 6th minute, Gustavo Gómez put Verdão ahead, but the highlight of the night came just before halftime with Vitor Roque’s brilliant goal.

Palmeiras strikes first

The start was uphill for Marcelo Gallardo’s team. Just a few minutes into the match, Paraguayan defender Gustavo Gómez popped up in the box to open the scoring and silence the home crowd. River tried to recover, but Palmeiras’ defensive solidity kept their attacks under control.

Vitor Roque’s masterpiece

In the 45th minute, the Brazilian side won the ball back in midfield and launched a lethal transition. José López picked up the ball through the center and delivered a perfectly weighted long pass to Vitor Roque. The Brazilian forward, using his pace and strength, broke free from his marker and faced Franco Armani. With a precise right-footed strike, more about technique than power, he beat the Argentine goalkeeper to make it 2-0.

The goal not only extended Palmeiras’ lead but also showcased Roque’s quality, as he made the most of his teammate’s assist to complete a move that combined recovery, vision, and a clinical finish.