In a closely contested match at the José Amalfitani stadium on Sunday, Vélez Sarsfield secured a narrow 1-0 victory over River Plate in the sixth round of the 2026 Apertura Tournament. The match was highlighted by a standout performance from Claudio Baeza, who was pivotal in both the midfield presence and defensive contributions, helping his team maintain control over the match. Vélez's first-half goal came from Manuel Lanzini, who has been consistently delivering key performances this season, further solidifying his importance to the squad.

The match showcased Vélez's tactical discipline and ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities, while River Plate struggled to find cohesion and effective responses to their opponents' aggressive play. Goalkeeper Álvaro Montero also played a crucial role, making several key saves to deny River's attempts to equalize and keeping a clean sheet for the home side. Despite River's efforts, their players, including Gonzalo Montiel and Lucas Martínez Quarta, were unable to match the intensity and determination displayed by Vélez's players.

With this victory, Vélez leads Group A of the tournament with 14 points, while River Plate must regroup quickly as they prepare for their next fixture. This result not only bolsters Vélez's position in the league but also reinforces their competitive spirit as they pursue the Apertura title, signaling potential challenges ahead for River Plate in maintaining their aspirations in the tournament.