River handed fresh chance to qualify for Copa Libertadores | OneFootball

With the unexpected crowning of Rosario Central as league champions, the 2025 annual table was set in stone after the 16th round of the Torneo Clausura. River finished fourth, in the spots for Copa Sudamericana qualification, although they still have a chance to make it into the Libertadores. One of the ways this could happen is if one of the top three teams wins the championship or if Lanús, the recent Sudamericana winner, does so.

The only one of those mentioned who has already played in the playoffs is Argentinos Juniors, who had finished third and this Saturday qualified for the Clausura quarterfinals after defeating Vélez 2-0, a victory also celebrated by the Millonario.

The team led by Marcelo Gallardo could make it into the group stage if they become champions, something unthinkable given the terrible footballing moment they are going through. That’s why, this weekend in Núñez, they’ll be paying close attention to what happens.

The other two teams that could lend a hand are Rosario Central and Boca. Leaders of their groups, this Sunday they will host Estudiantes and Talleres, respectively, and without a doubt the Millonario will also be watching their results closely, although, of course, they would never celebrate a championship win by their classic rival.

If one of these three teams frees up a spot for the Copa Libertadores, River would enter the next edition of the continent’s top tournament in Phase 2. If they win that first matchup, they would play another in Phase 3, and only if they get through that would they enter the group stage; if they lose, they drop into the Sudamericana. On the other hand, if they lose in the first of these two rounds, as happened to Boca this year, they would be left with nothing.

There is one more scenario that previously seemed a bit far-fetched, as it required two titles, but one has already been secured. If Lanús, who won the 2025 Copa Sudamericana, also wins the Torneo Clausura, that spot would be freed up for the annual table, and this is another scenario that could benefit River looking ahead to 2026.

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