Audio By Carbonatix
David Trezeguet struck twice as Argentine giants River Plate beat Almirante Brown 2-0 on Saturday to win the Primera B Nacional title and return to the first division.
River are promoted to the top flight, where they hold a record 33 title triumphs, at the first attempt after their shock relegation a year ago almost to the day amid scenes of violence from angry fans who caused damage in and outside the Monumental.
The contrast on Saturday could not have been more marked with scenes of jubilation in the packed stadium as River put their relegation nightmare behind them at the end of an exhausting B Nacional championship that went to the wire.
"This is unforgettable," said coach Matias Almeyda, the former Argentina midfielder who was in the team relegated last year and has just completed his first year on the bench.
"In less than a year we put River back where they belong," a tearful Almeyda told reporters on the pitch.
Former France striker Trezeguet, a boyhood fan who joined the club in the January mid-season break determined to help them regain their top-flight status, scored in the 50th and 89th minutes to take his goal tally to 13.
He also missed a penalty five minutes from time.
River won the championship with 73 points from 38 matches, winning 20 and losing five with a 66-28 goal record.
They will be joined in the first division by Quilmes who finished one point behind after winning 2-0 at Guillermo Brown thanks to a double from Uruguayan striker Martin Cauteruccio.
Quilmes, who won their only first division title in 1978, were also relegated last year.
Four-times first division champions Rosario Central and Instituto, the Cordoba club where Mario Kempes and Osvaldo Ardiles began their careers, also went into Saturday's final round of matches with a chance of direct promotion but lost.
Central, beaten 3-2 at Desamparados, and Instituto, upset 3-0 at home by Ferro Carril Oeste, now go into relegation-promotion playoffs against two first division sides for two places in the top flight.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
From waste to wealth: My experience at Higher Life Academy
13 minutes -
Specialist links rising kidney disease cases among children to toxic pollutants, heavy metals
27 minutes -
Ghanaian defender Manuel Ayitey joins Spanish side Villarreal on a two-year deal
31 minutes -
Cambodia’s former opposition leader receives royal pardon for 27-year sentence
34 minutes -
Three killed in Uganda after crashing into elephant
34 minutes -
GoldBod seals refinery partnership with Royal Ghana Gold Limited
36 minutes -
Political scientist downplays perceived tension between Haruna Iddrisu and Asiedu Nketia
37 minutes -
Salt off the Table: Why this Rule could Save Lives
39 minutes -
Social media and the culture of public confrontation: What are we teaching the next generation?
42 minutes -
NDC capable of managing emerging tensions between Haruna Iddrisu and Asiedu Nketiah — Dr Amakye-Boateng
43 minutes -
How many V8 cars equal one PET-CT Scanner — And why does Ghana still not have enough PET imaging capacity?
45 minutes -
2026 World Cup: ‘We are ready to fight together for every ball’ – Carlos Queiroz
46 minutes -
Regulation by invoicing: The systemic flaws in NITA’s licensing push and the threat to Ghana’s digital trust
52 minutes -
Police arrest 74 suspects in anti-narcotics operations in Upper East Region
55 minutes -
Two foreign nationals arrested in pre-dawn anti-galamsey raid in Ashanti Region
55 minutes