River Plate v Independiente
Primera Division, Torneo Final 2013
Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti
Belgrano, Buenos Aires
9 June 2013
Tickets were at a premium especially because I had left it late. Thankfully, one of our hotel porters was a mad River fan and had managed to organise us tickets, albeit through a touristic minibus tour. Truth be known I was dreading the trip because we like to pride ourselves on cutting our own routine, but to my surprise the experience was quite good. There were only 8 on our bus. Me and the Mrs, a Jock who supported England who had also just come from Rio, an Irish couple on their honeymoon, a random German and a local dad taking his son to the big game....oh and lets not forget our entrepreneurial Argentinian host.
It was just less than 48 Hours since we were last in the Belgrano district (for the Argentina v Colombia game), but we just couldn't resist it as it would be our only opportunity to see a top flight Argentinian game. The match between River Plate and Independiente had a lot riding on it, River were still in the running for the championship and Independiente were facing relegation to the Primera B Nacional league for the first time in their illustrious 109 year history.
A couple of huge 1 Litre bottles of Quilmes was all it took for us to become best of friends with the Irish newly weds. The trip to Belgrano was not too long as we all had fairly central hotels. We stopped off for beers and a pizza at a local pub not far from the El Monumental, this proved great as we could get to know each other prior to the game.
The entrance to the El Monumental is totally different in the daylight. The security is pretty stringent and we all received a good pat down
River Plate entrance
Taken from the concourse
We get to our seats in the Belgrano 'Platea Alta' early
The stadium is a sell out.
Just before KO the most incredible thing happens. The Barras brava (official club hooligans) make a noisy entrance to their part of the terrace in the Poplar Sivori. They were singing, jumping and banging big bongo drums. The rest of the stadium responds with applause and singing, the whole place rocks! I can honestly say I have never witnessed an atmosphere quite like this at any other football match.
The Sivori end.
Throughout the game, the singing, wrist flicking and jumping continues.
The away fans of Independencia in the Poplar Centenario
River score to make it 1:0. this is the cue for the Independiente fans to get the bolt croppers out and open up their cage in the away end. Once through the fencing they run amok launching seats at the lower tier which is full of River Plate fans. The police just let it fizzle out without one arrest!
River score again and the violence erupts some more, this time Independiente supporters start running along the coverings to launch seats at the Belgrano stand not too far from our little group of ground hoppers😐
More launching of seats from the Independiente fans.
Independiente pull one back in the final minute of normal time but it is not enough to see them remain in the top flight. Their Barras Brava make a hasty exit, jump into their cars and head back to Avellaneda where they proceed to smash up their own club house and offices. One memory that will stay with me, is the sight of this solitary supporter who refused to leave the away terrace, he managed to evade the stewards and just sat on his haunches gazing in disbelief at the sky. After 10 minutes of this carrion he decided to leave, but as he is making his exit down the steps in front of 45,000 River fans, he slips and falls on his arse and the stadium cheers!
River Plate 2 Independiente 1
Attendance: 50000
What a great few days, I have to say we have thoroughly loved Buenos Aires. Next stop Santiago, Chile.
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