The 0-2 defeat against Inter Milan in the final group stage match of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ not only ended River Plate's journey in the tournament, but also concluded with a disappointing image. Marcos Acuna, enraged, lunged at Denzel Dumfries as if seeking personal revenge rather than acting like a player representing one of South America's biggest clubs.
On an evening when River should have left the league with their heads held high, Acuna made himself the target of an unforgivable fit of impulsiveness. This led to an entire team losing face in their farewell moment.
Throughout the 90 minutes of play, Acuna did not play poorly. On the contrary, this left-back was perhaps one of the few River Plate players who performed at a high level.
He contested aggressively, shutting down Dumfries – Inter's key star on the right wing – and displayed precision in every pass. It was an energetic performance, truly embodying the "warrior" spirit that earned him the nickname "Huevo." But that very fire, when left unchecked, became the source of a disastrous outcome.
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An ugly scene unfolded, with Acuna receiving a great deal of criticism. |
When the final whistle blew, River Plate were officially eliminated from the group stage. A painful, but not unexpected, outcome.
Instead of helping his teammates maintain a positive image, Acuna chose to vent his anger on his opponent. He charged straight towards Dumfries amidst chaotic attempts by his teammates, opposing players, and even security personnel to stop him.
That image – a national team player, a 2022 World Cup champion, being wrestled to the ground by a teammate to break up a fight – is a stain that is difficult to erase for a player who should be a role model of character and discipline.
Ironically, the crowd continued chanting "Olé, olé, Huevo, Huevo" as if he were an unyielding hero in defeat. But in reality, it was a misguided cheer, turning a shameful act into something celebrated.
It's understandable that Acuna plays with emotion, that he's unwilling to leave the game in silence. But professional football doesn't allow for actions that cross the line, especially on the world stage, where all eyes are watching.
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Acuna's teammates had to hug and restrain him. |
We might ask: Why did a seasoned player like Acuna – who had competed in La Liga and won the World Cup with Argentina – lose control so easily? The answer probably lies in the pressure of wearing the River Plate shirt and the excessive expectations from the fans.
But pressure cannot be an excuse to turn the football pitch into a boxing ring. Acuna failed, not as a player, but as a leader, as an icon.
River's end at the Club World Cup wasn't just about being eliminated in the group stage – a familiar occurrence for South American clubs when facing European giants. What was truly regrettable was the way they left the tournament: a lack of control, a lack of spirit, and above all, a loss of their inherent identity – the noble spirit of a team that once captivated the entire continent.
Somewhere, people still try to praise Acuna for her fighting spirit, for refusing to accept defeat. But true fighting isn't about getting angry after a match, but about the ability to remain calm and keep going, to keep winning in subsequent matches. And Acuna, unfortunately, failed to demonstrate that.
The 2025 Club World Cup ended in defeat for River Plate, and the lasting image was that of a hot-tempered player instead of a team with their heads held high. Marcos Acuna – despite his good performance – made that farewell a distorted affair. And that was the biggest failure of all.
Source: https://znews.vn/acuna-noi-dien-river-plate-mat-mat-post1563800.html
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