Zone A decider: three teams battling for one Apertura play-off spot

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·3 May 2026

Zone A decider: three teams battling for one Apertura play-off spot

Zone A of the Professional League’s Apertura tournament has already determined seven of the eight teams qualified for the playoffs, and Saturday’s results left three teams still in the race, while Estudiantes secured the top spot in Group A ahead of Boca.

The battle for qualification in Zone A

Independiente won the derby against San Lorenzo at the Nuevo Gasómetro 2-1, and both teams secured their place in the round of 16. El Rojo finished fifth with 24 points, while El Ciclón is seventh with 22.
Meanwhile, Unión salvaged a dramatic draw against Talleres and remains in contention. For now, El Tatengue sits eighth and will have to wait for Defensa y Justicia not to beat Gimnasia de Mendoza away from home or for Instituto not to beat Estudiantes de Río Cuarto by seven goals.

The battle to win Zone A

Boca beat Central Córdoba 2-1 in Santiago del Estero and finished in second place in the group, so it did not secure the chance to play at La Bombonera until the final.
Estudiantes defeated Platense 2-0 in Vicente López and finished first, so it will host the round of 16, quarterfinals, and semifinals in La Plata if it advances.
Vélez could overtake Boca for second place, although to do so

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