Gimnasia hold River Plate in Argentine top flight-Xinhua

Gimnasia hold River Plate in Argentine top flight

Source: Xinhua

Editor: huaxia

2024-08-18 11:19:00

BUENOS AIRES, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Rodrigo Castillo struck late to earn Gimnasia a 1-1 home draw with River Plate in Argentina's Primera Division on Saturday.

Ignacio Fernandez put the visitors ahead just before the hour with a low finish after combining with Franco Mastantuono.

The hosts had several chances to equalize in the second half but were repeatedly denied by the sharp reflexes of goalkeeper Jeremias Ledesma.

Castillo, who spent time at River Plate's youth academy as a teenager, finally made the breakthrough seven minutes from time when he volleyed home at the far post after Nicolas Colazo's floating cross from the left wing.

"Honestly, it wasn't my idea to celebrate the goal," Castillo told reporters after the match.

"The way we regrouped to get back on level terms in the final minutes made me react the way I did. I will always respect the club that opened the doors for me as a footballer."

The result leaves Gimnasia 16th in the 28-team standings with 14 points from 11 games, two points behind eighth-placed River Plate.