What River need to qualify for the Copa Libertadores | OneFootball

The harsh 2-0 defeat in the Superclásico against Boca has significantly worsened River's crisis, making their chances of qualifying for the next 2026 Copa Libertadores increasingly difficult. Although they currently remain in the playoff zone, tomorrow they could drop to Copa Sudamericana spots if Riestra or Argentinos win their matches. A review of the possible scenarios.

The first thing to consider is that three teams have already qualified for the continent's most important club tournament, which are Platense (Apertura champion), Independiente Rivadavia (Copa Argentina champion), and Rosario Central, for securing the top spot in the annual standings. The remaining spots will be distributed as follows:

With the defeat in the Superclásico, Boca has already pulled seven points ahead and qualified for the group stage of the Copa Libertadores after two consecutive years without participating in that stage. Meanwhile, Gallardo's team is obliged to win against Vélez and even then, they have no guarantees of being able to enter the top continental tournament.

Of course, if only one of the two teams chasing them by one point, Riestra and Argentinos, surpasses them, River could be saved by the victory of one of the top three in the Clausura Tournament. This would free up a spot and River could once again settle into Phase 2.

The defeat of Bicho in the Copa Argentina did not change the current scenario, but it did affect a potential one. The club from La Paternal could surpass them in the annual standings, but would not free up that spot as they fell short of victory. Therefore, if they score more than River, they will surpass them in the 2025 standings and take a spot in the Copa (be it playoffs or group stage)

However, the setback at La Bombonera seriously complicated Núñez's team's chances, awaiting, as already mentioned, Riestra or Argentinos to play this Monday. Malevo will host Independiente while Bicho will face Belgrano. Both are one point below Gallardo's team and if they surpass them in the standings, they will temporarily displace them from qualification, a situation that could be reversed again if one of the top teams becomes champion.

With six points remaining to finish the regular phase, River seems doomed to fight for entry into the Libertadores against Malevo and the team from La Paternal, but Racing and San Lorenzo, who have 50 points, could also join the fight, two points behind River (but with one more match), and dream of causing an upset.

Deportivo Riestra

Argentinos Juniors

San Lorenzo

Racing

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