👀Eyeing the Copa Libertadores: the door opens and closes for River

With the unexpected triumph of Rosario Central as the champion of the League and the 2025 annual table already closed, River Plate finds itself in a situation of extreme tension. The Millionaire finished fourth, securing a spot in the Copa Sudamericana, but still has a chance to get into the Libertadores, depending on a complex combination of results.

One door opens, another closes...

The scenario shifted this weekend. On Saturday, Lanús's title in the Copa Sudamericana opened a new possibility: if the Granate wins the Torneo Clausura, River will secure its ticket to the Libertadores. Lanús will face Tigre this Wednesday in the round of 16.

However, bad news arrived on Sunday: Rosario Central was eliminated by Estudiantes. This defeat reduces the chances of freeing up a spot, as now the hopes are focused on fewer teams. Additionally, Boca Juniors and Argentinos Juniors (who finished above River in the annual table) will face each other in the quarterfinals, which could also help River.

The last option remaining

Beyond the combinations, River depends on itself to qualify for the group stage of the Libertadores: it must win the Clausura, something that seems difficult given its current football form.

If Boca, Lanús, or Argentinos free up a spot, River would enter Phase 2 of the Libertadores. However, the path is risky: if it wins Phase 2, it goes to Phase 3, but if it loses in the first of these preliminary stages (as happened to Boca this year), it would be left with nothing, falling to the Copa Sudamericana.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

📸 ALEJANDRO PAGNI - AFP or licensors