River celebrate Boca’s draw: why the result against Central suits them | OneFootball

The Millionaire took advantage of the fact that their direct rivals dropped points at the Gigante de Arroyito and pulled away at the top of the overall standings. Although there’s still a way to go, they are getting closer and closer to securing a spot in the 2026 Copa Libertadores.

As soon as Facundo Tello blew the final whistle on the 1-1 draw between Rosario Central and Boca, those in Núñez clenched their fists and celebrated that the two main competitors in the annual table dropped points along the way. River, who had already beaten Estudiantes on Saturday, wrapped up a perfect weekend.

Why did Marcelo Gallardo and company celebrate the result in Arroyito? The draw between their main pursuers in the overall standings, including their historic rival, meant they finished matchday 8 of the Torneo Clausura even further ahead than before. In other words, they pulled away and are getting closer and closer to clinching qualification for the 2026 Copa Libertadores.

Since Rosario Central and Boca went into the match with 45 points in the annual standings, and River had already jumped to 49 with their win at UNO, the result that suited them best was the one that ultimately happened. The draw keeps both teams at a distance, specifically three points behind, and gives River some leeway to slip up without losing the lead—unless there’s a catastrophe in goal difference.

Why did Marcelo Gallardo and company celebrate the result in Arroyito? The draw between their main pursuers in the overall standings, including their historic rival, meant they finished matchday 8 of the Torneo Clausura even further ahead than before. In other words, they pulled away and are getting closer and closer to clinching qualification for the 2026 Copa Libertadores.

Since Rosario Central and Boca went into the match with 45 points in the annual standings, and River had already jumped to 49 with their win at UNO, the result that suited them best was the one that ultimately happened. The draw keeps both teams at a distance, specifically three points behind, and gives River some leeway to slip up without losing the lead—unless there’s a catastrophe in goal difference.

In any case, it should be noted that El Canalla, currently third with 46 points (the same as Xeneize), still has to complete the suspended match against Sarmiento de Junín, and a good result would put them above Boca and even closer to El Millonario.

The top two in the annual standings will earn a direct ticket to the group stage of the 2026 Copa Libertadores, while the third-place team will qualify for the playoffs—a risky phase, as elimination would leave that club without any international competition. The most recent example is exactly what happened to Xeneize last year against Independiente del Valle.

River’s “advantage” over Boca is that, in addition to the annual standings, they still have other opportunities to qualify: by winning the current continental tournament, the Copa Argentina, or directly the Torneo Clausura (in any of these cases, they would free up a spot).

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