Vélez Sarsfield struck early against River Plate, taking the lead just five minutes into their match at Liniers during the sixth round of the Apertura Tournament. The opening goal was netted by Manuel Lanzini following a brilliant team play.
The former River Plate player capitalized on a poor pass from Juan Fernando Quintero intended for Fausto Vera. Lanzini swiftly intercepted and quickly passed to Matías Pellegrini, who expertly controlled the ball, evading Quintero’s desperate defense, before returning it to Lanzini.
Lanzini played a quick one-two with a teammate while being pressured by Aníbal Moreno and then sprinted into the heart of River’s defense. Despite being outnumbered, River’s backline struggled to regroup, and the fast-paced counterattack left them disorganized.
Lanzini received the ball on the left side of the box, executed a perfect feint to shake off Lucas Martínez Quarta, and scored with a low right-foot shot that found the bottom corner of the net. Franco Armani, despite diving to touch the ball, could not prevent it from hitting the post and rolling in.
Marcelo Gallardo, watching from the sidelines, was visibly frustrated, as captured by ESPN’s cameras. He closed his eyes in disappointment after witnessing the turnover that led to the goal.
Lanzini’s opener came just minutes into the match, demonstrating the skillful synergy within Vélez’s squad. Acknowledging his history with River Plate, he humbly expressed his apologies through a gesture of bringing his palms together.
Rising through River Plate’s youth system, Lanzini made his first-team debut at 17 on August 8, 2010, against Tigre. His early years were mixed, with loan spells, including a notable one at Fluminense in Brazil after River’s relegation in 2011.
Lanzini returned to River in June 2012, wearing the iconic number 10 jersey. He cemented his place in the squad with 26 appearances and 8 goals in the following season, and famously scored the fastest goal in Superclásicos history just 43 seconds into a match against Boca Juniors.
His career took a significant turn in 2014 when he contributed to River’s triumph in the Torneo Final and Copa Campeonato before moving to Al-Jazira in the UAE. His time in Europe included a successful stint at West Ham United until 2023.
Lanzini’s recent return to River in August 2023 was marked by excitement, yet he faced challenges due to injuries. After a communication with Gallardo regarding his position, he opted for a fresh start with Vélez Sarsfield this season.
Throughout his time at River Plate, Lanzini played 141 official matches, scoring 15 goals across different stages of his career, leaving an indelible mark on the club’s history. His journey embodies resilience and determination, making his presence in the tournament noteworthy.