An inspired River Plate hammered Atlanta 7-1 behind a hat trick from Fernando Cavenaghi.
The game all River fans were waiting for finally came as El Mas Grande lived up to its moniker and thrashed lowly Atlanta. The score line was an absolutely accurate representation of the difference between these two teams today, as Atlanta found themselves outmatched in every facet of the game.
River had the game in control from the start. Martin Aguirre opened up the scoring in the 13th minute when Atlanta’s keeper couldn’t hold on to a shot from Cavenaghi. 6 minutes later, Cavenaghi would get his first of 3 on the day on another dubious play by the keeper.
The game was on the verge of being closed out and the half hadn’t even finished yet. Any doubt would disappear a minute before the whistle when Lucas Ocampos got open near the area and fired a shot past the keeper. It looked like the second half would be a mere formality at this point.
That was when the Cavenaghi show really got going. In the 56th Cavegol scored River’s fourth goal minutes later scored an even better one. Cavenaghi got in behind the defense and as the keeper came out to challenge, he skillfully lifted the ball over the keeper and into the back of the net. It was Cavenaghi’s fifth goal of the season which moves him within 2 of the overall goal leader in the B Nacional.
When he didn’t score, Cavenaghi was busy setting up his team mates. Cavegol fed Fabian Bordagaray in the box to give the second half substitute his first goal in a River shirt and the team’s sixth. Atlanta had all but given up at that point when Andres Rios’ further punished The Bohemians with River’s 7th. An 87th minute consolation goal on a penalty was the only blemish on River’s afternoon.
The party in the stands was red and white today as the thousands of River fans poured out of the Nuevo Gasometro in complete satisfaction. The win moves River back to the top of the table with a point lead over Instituto. Next is a visit to Huracan on Sunday.
