Thrashing and massive win for La Lepra Mendocina over Gimnasia (M) | OneFootball

Alfredo Berti’s team recovered from a difficult start and ended up winning 5-1. With this result, La Lepra remains at the top of the tournament and left its eternal rival with no chance of making the playoffs.

Independiente Rivadavia confirmed its outstanding form by thrashing Gimnasia y Esgrima 5-1 at the Bautista Gargantini Stadium. Although El Lobo struck just one minute into the match, La Lepra responded with authority, took advantage of Paredes’ red card, and put on a footballing show to claim the most lopsided Mendoza derby of the professional era.

Goals from Studer, Sartori, Arce, Costa, and Bucca sealed an unforgettable afternoon for Alfredo Berti’s side. The win not only carries emotional weight, but also allows Independiente to strengthen its position as the outright leader of the Torneo Apertura and the overall standings, confirming that it is the team of the moment in Argentine football.

La Lepra’s current form is overwhelming: it has 13 wins in 18 matches in 2026, a run that includes the historic victory over Fluminense at the Maracanã in the Copa Libertadores. By contrast, the defeat hit El Lobo hard, and after this result it is now mathematically out of contention for a playoff spot in the domestic championship.

With qualification for the next round already secured, Independiente Rivadavia is now dividing its focus between the decisive stage of its Libertadores group and the start of the Apertura knockout rounds, where it appears as the leading title favorite.

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