Deportivo Riestra earned a scoreless draw against Chile's Palestino during their Copa Sudamericana debut at the Nuevo Gasómetro in Buenos Aires. The result, a 0-0 deadlock in the opening match of Group F, left Argentine media praising the underdog's performance.
Argentine outlets highlighted the rapid ascent of the Pompeya-based club. The sports daily Olé noted that even the most optimistic Riestra supporters could not have imagined this milestone. The publication reminded readers that just a few years ago, the club was competing in Argentina's fourth division.
"A few years ago, the same team that was in Primera C... was going to have, shortly after, its debut in an international competition," Olé reported. The outlet credited a historic 2025 season for placing the 'Malevo' on the international stage only two years after their promotion to the top flight.
A hard-fought stalemate
While Riestra initially controlled the tempo, the match leveled out as the game progressed. Olé observed that although the Argentine side took the initiative and spent the early minutes in the opponent's half, the visitors grew significantly stronger as the clock ran down.
Other regional outlets echoed this sentiment of respect for the defensive effort. Santa Fe Deportivo described the match as a "historic debut" for the club. The portal noted that the encounter was a balanced affair where defensive lines ultimately overcame the attacking plays.
Infobae emphasized the symbolic weight of the match for the 95-year-old institution. The publication reported that the clash at the Pedro Bidegain stadium marked a milestone for the club's international journey.
Riestra now continues its Group F campaign alongside Brazil's Gremio and Uruguay's Montevideo City Torque. For Palestino, the point provides a foundation for their upcoming fixtures in the tournament.