The race for continental qualification in Argentine football entered a decisive phase as the Torneo Clausura reached its closing stretch, with multiple clubs contending for positions in the 2027 Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana, Infobae reported.
Belgrano Secures Direct Copa Libertadores Berth
Belgrano de Córdoba secured the first direct berth to the Copa Libertadores as the champion of the Torneo Apertura, leaving the remaining spots to be decided through the Tabla Anual, alongside the eventual winners of the Clausura and the Copa Argentina, according to Infobae. Boca Juniors and Argentinos Juniors held the top two spots in the annual standings with 60 points each, though Boca maintained a superior goal difference. Rosario Central se ubica tercero con 59 unidades, ocupando de momento uno de los puestos de clasificación a la Copa Libertadores.
Vélez Sarsfield sat fourth with 56 points, though their aspirations took a hit following a 2-0 defeat against Unión in Santa Fe, leaving the club reliant on shifting tournament quotas. Meanwhile, River Plate secured a 2-0 victory against Aldosivi, but La Nación reported that the result left the club mathematically unable to reach the Libertadores via the annual table regardless of any secondary quota releases.
Standings Shape Battle for Copa Sudamericana Places
The battle for Copa Sudamericana places involved a tight grouping in the standings. Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata occupied fifth place with 57 points, followed by Vélez and Independiente Rivadavia with 56 points apiece, River Plate with 55, Instituto with 54, and Lanús holding the final provisional spot with 49 points, as detailed by Infobae.
Additional tournament entries depended heavily on ongoing international finals. TyC Sports reported that Boca Juniors remained active in four competitions—the Clausura, the Copa Argentina, the Copa Sudamericana, and the annual table. If Boca secured the Sudamericana title against Atlético Mineiro, or if Estudiantes de La Plata triumphed against Palmeiras in the Libertadores, extra qualification berths would open up in the domestic standings, potentially benefiting clubs positioned further down the table such as Defensa y Justicia and Barracas Central.
Relegation Realities at the Bottom
The fight at the foot of the standings brought definitive outcomes for two clubs. Estudiantes de Río Cuarto lost their top-flight status following a defeat against River Plate at the Estadio Monumental, confirming their return to the Primera B Nacional. They were joined by Aldosivi, whose relegation was sealed after a loss to Racing Club in Avellaneda.
The closing fixtures of the Clausura schedule continued through the weekend, featuring matches such as Argentinos Juniors against Huracán and Boca Juniors hosting Defensa y Justicia, which would finalize the remaining placement details before the conclusion of the domestic calendar.
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