River Plate back in First Division

River Plate were promoted to the First Division after defeating Almirante Brown 2-0 in the last round of matches to finish top of the National B standings yesterday. David Trezeguet scored both goals at the Monumental stadium.

David Trezeguet struck twice as Argentine giants River Plate beat Almirante Brown 2-0 yesterday at the Monumental stadium to win the National B Division 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 yesterday 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 National B championship that went to the wire.

“This is unforgettable,” said coach Matías 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.

“The end showed that the tournament is not easy,” Almeyda said. “Starting from now we will return to being one of the world’s great teams.”

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 Martín 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 Córdoba club where Mario Kempes and Osvaldo Ardiles began their careers, also went into yesterday’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.

At the Monumental, Trezeguet opened the scoring four minutes after halftime, running onto a pass from Rogelio Funes Mori and striking a left-foot shot from the left edge of the penalty area inside the far post.

Almirante Brown players complained to the referee that Funes Mori was offside and TV replays showed they were correct.

Trezeguet added his second one minute from the end, with Funes Mori breaking free down the right wing and laying off a low cross for the Frenchman to tap in.

“Today (yesterday) we completed the objective of returning River to where they deserve to be, the first division,” said Trezeguet. “I am very happy to have been able to help contribute in reaching the goal.”

River’s promotion means the derby against Boca Juniors — one of world soccer’s most famous rivalries — will resume next season.

One of the stands in the stadium was empty due to the death of a fan during the game between River and Boca Unidos two weeks ago.

“I still can’t believe it because it was a hard year. It was very difficult to become champions and put River again in the first division,” said captain Fernando Cavenaghi, who returned to the club at the beginning of the season.

Alejandro Domínguez, who came from Valencia also to help the team regain their top-flight status, said: “Thank god we did it this year. We put River again where they deserve and must be.”

River Plate: Daniel Vega; Luciano Vella, Jonathan Maidana, Ramiro Funes Mori, Leandro González Pirez; César González, Ezequiel Cirigliano, Leonardo Ponzio; Alejandro Domínguez, Fernando Cavenaghi, David Trezeguet. Coach: Matías Almeyda.

Almirante Brown: César Monasterio; Federico León, Hernán Ortíz, Jesús Nievas, Ezequiel Garré; Iván Centurión, Sergio Meza Sánchez, Héctor Olmedo, Diego Cisterna; José Luis García; Daniel Vega. Coach: Blas Giunta.

Stadium: Antonio Vespucio Liberti (Monumental).

Referee: Alejandro Toia.