Argentine fans turn on Ángel Di María in explosive semifinal atmosphere

Few defeats hurt more than falling just short of the promised land. A lone penalty from Facundo Colidio sends Eduardo Coudet into his first final since arriving at River Plate two months ago. The Millonario now await their opponent, which will be decided between Argentinos Juniors and Belgrano. For ex-Real Madrid star Ángel Di María, since returning to Argentina, it was another night of disappointment. Worse still, he endured relentless abuse, whistles, and insults from the stands.

A semifinal that started before kickoff

This semifinal was already simmering long before the referee blew the opening whistle.

It began with complaints from Racing Club president Diego Milito after his side were eliminated by Rosario Central, followed by a sharp response from Di María: “People want world champions to come back and play in Argentina, then this happens…”

Estadio Monumental did not forgive him.

What followed was a pressure cooker atmosphere that exploded early. Di María was met with whistles and insults during warmups, setting the tone for a toxic night that only escalated.

“Fideo” targeted from the start

Once both teams stepped onto the pitch, the stadium erupted in a unified chant: “Seca nuca, Fideo, seca nuca,” which essentially translates to “You’re nothing, Fideo,” (’Fideo’ being Di María’s nickname).

Every touch Di María made was met with whistles and jeers. He was singled out and relentlessly targeted.

After the match, the Argentina legend tried to downplay the hostility.

“This is soccer. I’ve been cheered in this stadium many times. That is what I will remember, not this. Today I am wearing this shirt, not the national team shirt, so it is soccer,” he said in the postgame flash interview.

A brutal match from the opening minutes

What happened before kickoff was only a preview of what followed.

This was a heated, chaotic battle, filled with hard tackles, injuries, and even blood. Neither side held back, but River Plate ultimately came out on top.

Just past the 10-minute mark, a dangerous tackle from Franco Ibarra on Sebastián Driussi forced the forward off on a stretcher, visibly distraught and in tears from pain and frustration. Coudet turned to a young replacement, Joaquín Freitas, who would ultimately become an unexpected hero of the semifinal.

Penalties, missed chances, and tension everywhere

The game swung end to end, with chances for both sides but few clear openings.

Around the half-hour mark, Gastón Ávila brought down Martínez Quarta in the box with an elbow to the face. The referee immediately pointed to the spot.

Goalkeeper Jorge Ledesma, familiar to fans from LaLiga, played mind games on the line, distracting Gonzalo Montiel just enough to save the penalty and keep Rosario Central alive.

Di María neutralized as Coudet wins tactical battle

Coudet’s plan was clear. If River were going to be stopped, Di María could not be allowed to influence the game.

He was isolated on the wing, asked to carry too much of the attacking burden. He tried. At one point, he nearly produced a Maradona-like moment, dribbling past two defenders with a sharp feint before being denied at the last second.

He grew increasingly frustrated, and Coudet was winning the tactical duel.

Blood, fatigue, and a late collapse

In the second half, Rosario Central dropped deeper, looking to counterattack while River pushed forward.

Di María dropped back to help build play, searching for forward passes to Copetti. The striker came close to being sent off after a heavy challenge on Lautaro Rivero that left him bleeding, but the referee showed mercy.

The match became a gladiator-style fight. River pressed, Rosario Central resisted, and tackles flew in everywhere.

The referee repeatedly urged players to keep going.

But Ledesma, who had been a hero earlier, eventually became the villain.

The decisive moment

Trying to stop a River counterattack, the goalkeeper brought down Freitas inside the box.

No hesitation from the referee. Another penalty.

This time, the outcome was different.

Colidio converted calmly, sending River Plate into another final, the first for Coudet since returning to Argentina.

River Plate look ahead to Córdoba final

River now wait for their opponent on May 24 in Córdoba, where they will face either Argentinos Juniors or Belgrano.

After cycles of disappointment, joy has returned to the Monumental.

And much of it, once again, revolves around one man: Eduardo Coudet.

The crowd made its feelings clear at full time:“Because this year from River, from River, came the new champion.”

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