Buenos Aires – A fiery encounter at the Estadio Tomás Adolfo Ducó saw River Plate overcome Huracán 2-1 on Friday, March 13, 2026, in a match marred by contentious refereeing decisions and a flurry of VAR reviews. The game, Eduardo Coudet’s debut as River Plate’s manager, delivered a spectacle of penalties, red cards, and heated protests, leaving fans and analysts alike debating the calls long after the final whistle.
River Plate initially took the lead through Sebastián Driussi, but the advantage was short-lived. At the 43rd minute, referee Nicolás Ramírez pointed to the spot after Lucas Martínez Quarta was adjudged to have fouled Jordy Caicedo inside the penalty area. Caicedo calmly converted the penalty, leveling the score and igniting a firestorm of debate.
The Controversial Penalty: Martínez Quarta’s Challenge on Caicedo
The incident centered around a challenge during a play that began with a lateral pass, a subsequent clearance, and a header from Ignacio Campo. The ball eventually fell to Caicedo, who was closely marked by Martínez Quarta. The referee’s decision to award a penalty stemmed from Martínez Quarta grabbing Caicedo’s shirt, causing the Huracán forward to fall.
Whereas any contact doesn’t automatically constitute a foul, the referee and VAR determined that the force used by Martínez Quarta significantly restricted Caicedo’s movement and directly impacted his ability to compete for the ball. According to interpretations of the laws of the game, a sujeción (hold) becomes a penalty when it’s forceful enough to destabilize an opponent or clearly impede their chance to play the ball. The prolonged nature of the hold, altering Caicedo’s trajectory, was deemed sufficient to warrant the call.
Coudet and Martínez Quarta vehemently protested the decision, with the River manager even appealing for a review for a potential offside – a request that went unheeded by VAR. The decision to stand by the penalty call sparked immediate controversy, setting the tone for a highly charged second half.
Further Penalties and Ejections Shape the Outcome
The drama didn’t end there. In the second half, Ramírez awarded another penalty, this time to River Plate, after Fabio Pereyra’s challenge on Ian Subiabre. The contact, occurring as Pereyra attempted a tackle, impacted Subiabre’s knee. While not deemed reckless, the challenge was considered imprudent, with Pereyra arriving late and making contact with the River player before reaching the ball.
Hernán Galíndez initially denied Juan Fernando Quintero’s attempt from the spot, but River Plate would soon be awarded another opportunity. A controversial handball decision, reviewed by VAR, led to a penalty for River Plate after the ball struck Emmanuel Ojeda’s hand while he was turning. Gonzalo Montiel successfully converted, giving River a 2-1 lead.
Yet, the VAR review wasn’t without further consequence. During the review process, a clash between Lucas Carrizo and Facundo Colidio escalated into a physical altercation, resulting in both players receiving red cards. The incident underscored the heightened emotions and tension that permeated the match.
A Late Scramble and Final Controversies
As the clock wound down, a final incident sparked debate. Juan Bisanz went down inside the Huracán penalty area under a challenge from Paulo Díaz. While contact was made, the referee determined it was not enough to warrant a penalty, ruling it as incidental contact during a normal play. Both players were in motion, and Díaz’s arm contact was deemed a natural part of his running motion, not a deliberate attempt to impede Bisanz.
The match concluded with River Plate securing a hard-fought victory, but the focus remained firmly on the refereeing decisions. The game highlighted the increasing scrutiny on VAR and the challenges of interpreting the laws of the game in real-time, particularly in high-stakes encounters.
This match at the Estadio Tomás Adolfo Ducó will undoubtedly be remembered for its controversies, marking a turbulent debut for Eduardo Coudet and a significant talking point in the ongoing Argentine Primera División season. The decisions made by Nicolás Ramírez and upheld by VAR will continue to be dissected and debated by fans and pundits alike.
River Plate will look to build on this victory in their next fixture, while Huracán will aim to bounce back from a frustrating night at home. The league season continues to unfold with its usual blend of passion, skill, and, as evidenced on Friday, a healthy dose of controversy.
Next Up: River Plate will face [Next Opponent – Not Confirmed] on [Date – Not Confirmed] at [Venue – Not Confirmed]. Stay tuned to Archysport for further updates and analysis.
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