River handed fresh chance to qualify for Copa Libertadores | OneFootball

With the surprising consecration of Rosario Central as league champion, the 2025 annual standings were set in stone after the 16th round of the Torneo Clausura. River finished fourth, in positions qualifying for the Copa Sudamericana, although they still have a chance to make it into the Libertadores. One way this could happen is if one of the top three teams wins the championship, or if Lanús, the recent winner of the Sudamericana, does so.

The only one of the aforementioned teams that 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 due to 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 any of these three teams free 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 tie, they would play another in Phase 3, and only if they win that would they enter the group stage; if they lose, they drop into the Sudamericana. However, 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, because 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 standings, and that’s 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.