For a club with River Plate’s stature, missing the Copa Libertadores is a serious embarrassment. Missing it for a second consecutive season would be a crisis, and that is now a real possibility. The only route back into the 2027 tournament is to win the Torneo Clausura, the second half of the Argentine season.
Knockout race begins
Monday’s results completed the penultimate round and secured River a place in the Clausura round of 16. Fourth in Group B with 23 points, and unable to climb any higher in the table, the Buenos Aires side travel to face Aldovisi on Sunday. That match will decide only their final group position and their opponent in the last 16, which could be their great rival Boca Juniors, currently second in Group A.
From the knockout stage onward, every game becomes decisive. River’s aim is to win the title in 2026 and, in doing so, return to the Libertadores in 2027.
Argentina’s remaining places
Argentina has six Libertadores 2027 berths, five through the group stage and one through the Pre-Libertadores round. Only two are settled so far. Belgrano were the first to qualify by winning the Torneo Apertura. Boca Juniors have already guaranteed at least a Pre-Libertadores spot, though they are more likely to enter the group stage.
Boca’s position was strengthened by a win over River last Sunday, which secured them a place among the top three teams in the overall Argentine standings. That result has made River’s task even harder.
A difficult season
River’s poor campaign has left them needing a strong finish in the Clausura to avoid another year out of Africa-free continental competition. In the overall standings, they are only eighth, mathematically out of reach of the top three and even of fourth place, which could earn a Pre-Libertadores spot if Boca win the Copa Argentina, where they are in the semifinals, the Clausura, or the Copa Sudamericana, where they face Atletico Mineiro in the final.
River’s cup run also ended early. In July they lost 3-1 at home to Aldovisi, going out before the round of 16 of the Copa Argentina.
Source: ge.globo.com
