Copa Libertadores Showdown: River Plate Aims to Break Libertad's Wall in Monumental Second Leg

River Plate will welcome Club Libertad to the Estadio Monumental on Thursday for the decisive second leg of their Copa Libertadores 2025 Round of 16 clash. With the tie finely poised at 0-0 after a goalless first leg in Paraguay, the Argentine giants know this is their moment to seize control and secure a spot in the quarterfinals.

The first encounter was a frustrating affair for River Plate, who dominated possession and created a host of scoring opportunities, only to be denied time and again by the heroics of Libertad's veteran goalkeeper, Martín Silva. The 40-year-old put on a masterclass, earning Man of the Match honors and keeping the tie very much alive.

"It’s a different game now," said River Plate manager Marcelo Gallardo. "The pressure is on them to come here and get a result, while we have the full support of our fans in our stadium. We need to be clinical and not let the same thing happen twice."

River Plate enters the match in formidable form. Unbeaten in their last seven games across all competitions, Los Millonarios are also leading the Argentine league with a strong 3-2-0 record. Their confidence is sky-high after a commanding 4-2 league victory over Godoy Cruz over the weekend, a match where forward Facundo Colidio, a player to watch, netted a brace. River's attack has been potent, scoring 11 goals in the newly commenced league and a tournament-high 13 goals in the Copa Libertadores group stage.

However, Gallardo's squad faces challenges. Injuries have thinned the ranks, with key players like Germán Pezzella and Maxi Salas sidelined. Despite the absentees, the team is expected to rely on its dynamic 4-3-3 diamond formation, with Colidio and Miguel Borja leading the charge.

On the other side, Club Libertad arrives with a streak of their own—three consecutive draws across all competitions. While this run has kept them unbeaten in their last six games, it also highlights a struggle to convert defensive solidity into wins. The Paraguayan side finished second in their Copa Libertadores group and will lean on their decent away form, which has seen them go six road games without a loss.

Libertad's hopes will once again rest on their defensive shape and the form of their goalkeeper, Martin Silva, who proved to be an impenetrable wall in the first leg. Head coach Sergio Aquino will be hoping for a moment of magic from their top scorer, Iván Franco, to break through River’s staunch defense.

While history is on River Plate's side—they have never lost to Libertad in four previous encounters—this is knockout football, where form and past results can be thrown out the window. The stage is set for a tense and dramatic night in Buenos Aires, where passion will meet pressure, and only one team will advance to the next round.

Team Conditions

River Plate: Form and Statistics

Form in all competitions: WDDWD

River Plate is in red-hot form, unbeaten in their last seven games with four wins and three draws.

They lead the newly commenced Argentinian division with a record of 3 wins, 2 draws, and no losses, having scored 11 goals and conceded only three.

In the Copa Libertadores, Los Millonarios were undefeated in the group stage with a record of 3 wins and 3 draws. They scored a tournament-high 13 goals in Group B.

River Plate: Probable Lineup and Team News

Coach Marcelo Gallardo faces a long list of injured players, including Germán Pezzella and his replacement Maxi Salas. Despite these setbacks, Gallardo is expected to field a balanced 4-3-3 diamond formation.

Player to watch: Facundo Colidio. The 25-year-old forward is the team's current top scorer in the league with three goals and has two goals in the Copa Libertadores.

Probable starting lineup (4-3-3): Armani – Montiel, Boselli, Paulo Diaz, Acuna – Matias Galarza, Enzo Perez, Castano – Miguel Borja, Colidio, Santiago Lencina

Out: Agustin Ruberto, German Pezzella, Max Meza, Max Salas (all injured)

Head Coach: Marcelo Gallardo

Club Libertad: Form and Statistics

Form in all competitions: DDDWW

Libertad has been solid, remaining unbeaten in their last six games with three wins and three draws.

They are currently 6th in the Paraguayan Division de Honor Clausura.

In the Copa Libertadores, they finished as runners-up in Group H with 2 wins, 3 draws, and 1 loss.

Their decent away form is a key asset, as they have not lost in their last six road games.

Club Libertad: Probable Lineup and Team News

Coach Sergio Aquino is fortunate to have no major injury concerns, though goalkeeper Rodrigo Morinigo is doubtful. Martin Silva, the hero of the first leg, is expected to step in.

Player to watch: Ivan Franco. The 25-year-old is the team's top scorer with three goals in the league, and his creativity is highly valued.

Probable starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Martin Silva – Rojas, Diego Viera, Nestor Gimenez, Ramirez – Lucas Sanabria, Alvaro Campuzano – Gustavo Aquilar, Ivan Franco, Hugo Fernandez – Lorenzo Melgrarejo

Head Coach: Sergio Aquino

Head-to-Head Statistics

River Plate has an impressive record against Club Libertad, having won four of their previous encounters, with the most recent one ending in a draw. This historical advantage adds fuel to River's confidence.

Match Prediction & Betting Picks

This clash has all the makings of a home victory. While River Plate has never lost to Club Libertad, Libertad's first-leg performance and strong away record give them every reason to fight harder.

First Prediction: River Plate will win or at least secure a draw.

Betting Tip on the match: Total of under 2.5 goals.

A "Match Prediction" is that the second half will be the most scoring half.

Lastly, a total of over 8.5 corners.

It is also expected that both teams will score, which seems to be a contradictory pick to the under 2.5 goals total.