River and Estudiantes (RC) "a terrible match" where nothing happened: 94 interruptions and 19 minutes stopped by VAR
The match between River Plate and Estudiantes de Río Cuarto was plagued by interruptions, with 94 stoppages and a significant amount of time under VAR review, leading to a very low effective playing time.
The match between River Plate and Estudiantes de Río Cuarto was characterized as highly disappointing, with River's coach Eduardo Coudet expressing his dissatisfaction despite securing a third consecutive victory. The game was marred by 94 stoppages, drastically reducing the actual playing time well below the average of 50 minutes, which is already considered low in football. These interruptions included various breaks for fouls and typical delays in Argentine football, all contributing to a frustrating experience for fans and players alike.
The officiating by referee Nazareno Arasa also came under scrutiny, as he referred to VAR three times during the match. The first usage occurred to disallow a penalty for River Plate in the first half, followed by a review that negated a goal for Estudiantes, and finally, a call for a penalty for River resulting in a goal by Gonzalo Montiel. The match saw an unusually high amount of time spent on VAR reviews—almost twenty minutes—which contributed to the overall disruption of play.
As a result, the match atmosphere and quality were heavily criticized, with players finding it difficult to maintain momentum. The lack of continuous play led to discussions on the officiating standards and the increasing influence of VAR in football. This match raises important questions about how such interruptions affect the viewing experience and the overall entertainment value of the game, particularly in the context of Argentine football's current tumult.