River Plate’s first competitive match outside Argentina since 2009 ended in defeat on Thursday night, but they’re not entirely without hope. At 2,100 metres above sea level, they lost 2-1 to Ecuador’s Liga de Loja in the first leg of their Copa Sudamericana tie, with Osmar Ferreyra scoring River’s away goal. Pedro Larrea gave Liga the lead in the first half, and after Ferreyra’s equaliser, Jonny Uchuari scored from the spot to win the game for the hosts. In spite of home advantage and the altitude, Liga’s two goals came from the only two shots they took in the entire match; River should be optimistic of turning the tie around back in the Monumental next Thursday. The goals are right here.
Copa Sudamericana round of 16, first leg
Liga de Loja 2-1 River Plate
Hasta El Gol Siempre 