Copa Libertadores - 12:20 PM, April 27, 2006

River Plate 3 – 2 Corinthians

Riddled with injuries, River Plate drew first blood in their Copa Libertadores third round series with Corinthians on Wednesday, taking the first leg 3-2 at home, in a game of stunning goals, red cards and controversial decisions.

The first leg pitted one of Argentina's top clubs against the reigning Brazilian champions, had all the ingredients for drama and fully lived up to its billing.

It was a homecoming for two of Corinthians’ stars, Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez.

Mascherano, given a rousing reception, was playing against the club where was raised while Tevez, who previously played for River's archrivals Boca Juniors, was facing the team he most hated.

Two years ago Tevez was kicked out of a game for a provocative goal celebration in the same Monumental Stadium during a Boca/River derby clash.  Jeered from the outset, ‘Apache’ silenced the crowd in the 15th minute with a brilliant goal.

He rolled the ball on the left of the penalty area, then he slipped past two defenders and fired low into the bottom corner from 25 meters out for the early lead.

However, ‘Timao’ could not contain Marcelo Gallardo, who authored a brilliant River Plate onslaught that featured three goals.

The first came in the 26th minute with a right-footed missile from Ernesto Farias, and Paulo Ferrari escaped three defenders and connected to give the ‘Millonarios’ the lead for good. 

Yet the match was far from over.

In the 58th minute, Tevez headed the ball into the net for the equalizer, only to see his goal wiped out for offside, and the Brazilians luck failed them again when Coelho hit the post in the 66th.

Perhaps out of frustration, Mascherano fouled a minute later and was red-carded off the field.

River took advantage and Carlos Santana’s right foot gave them a cushy lead in the 81st. 

Corinthians would not go quietly, however, as Xavier headed home a stoppage time goal to make the home crowd sweat in the end.

The second leg will be in Brazil May 4th.