River won, liked, thrashed and emerged champion of the League in the first challenge of the Demichelis era

If he had chosen a way to consecrate himself, to become champion, it was this: with an exhibition of football, with a goal one minute into the match, a defender –González Pírez– who cuts, feints and gives an exquisite assist, a striker – Beltrán – who defines a volleyball cross and a stadium for the cell phone or computer wallpaper: full of fans, the smoke that was barely visible and the fireworks on the retina. River champion is this: aesthetic perfection, a dream postcard.

The biggest turn in millionaire history, with 86,000 people at the Monumental, took place after a dream match, at the height of what had been almost the entire Professional League. Or perhaps the 3-1 against Estudiantes last night does not synthesize what this River is? European pressure, a physical exhaustion that neutralizes almost all rivals, associations between midfielders and an individual quality far superior to that of all their domestic rivals. The table speaks: in 25 dates, the one that is closest is Talleres and it is nine points away. And from Boca, his eternal rival, he is separated by 22 points.

The first time was overwhelming. Estudiantes was canceled and suffocated. He had suspected a historic win, because Beltrán’s goal at one minute had been joined by one from Nicolás De la Cruz at minute 18 and another from Barco, from a penalty, at minute 33. In just over half an hour River thrashed Estudiantes 3 to 0. El Pincha was exhausted and River, who was savoring the champion’s celebration, more enlarged than ever.

The halftime presents as a dam, a containment so that the result does not overflow. A little because River regulated, a little because Estudiantes stood better in the middle of the field. Mendez’s discount, after a pass from Godoy, decorated a result that no longer mattered. The only thing that mattered was celebrating, seeing the flag that was unfurled in the low Sivorí –“Thank you for this joy”–, listening to the champion dale and dwelling on the joy of Martín Demichelis.

Is it joy or happiness? Because there are probably hours full of happiness, the one that is sought for a lifetime and is only achieved in small doses, in brief moments like this: flying with happiness.

Demichelis probably dreamed of this when he returned to the club that formed him. He said that he dreams of managing a team that fills the field. His River modified it recently.

The emotion on his face in the final minutes showed it. Those minutes lasted less because all the people, all the players, all the fans just want the final whistle to come and shout what they so long for. In this case, shout River champion.