The Argentine Football Association has officially confirmed River Plate’s schedule for the upcoming rounds of the Torneo Clausura, featuring adjustments to fixtures against Sarmiento de Junín and Estudiantes de Río Cuarto. The governing body approved a request from the club to move its Matchday 11 visit to Sarmiento, shifting the fixture from an initial October slot to mid-month to accommodate international duty commitments.
River will now travel to face Sarmiento at the Estadio Eva Perón on Wednesday, October 14, with kickoff scheduled for 19:00 local time. The adjustment stems directly from the number of players called up during the FIFA international window, which includes a farewell match for Lionel Messi against Benin at the Estadio Monumental on October 6. Alongside squad members Santiago Beltrán and Tobías Andrada, the club must release several veterans of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup squad, including Nicolás Otamendi, Marcos Acuña, Gonzalo Montiel, and Ángel Correa. Thiago Almada was also initially selected before a thigh tear sustained against Huracán forced his withdrawal.
Before facing Sarmiento, River will host Estudiantes de Río Cuarto at the Monumental on Saturday, October 10, at 21:30 local time for Matchday 12. That contest ends a three-week competitive layoff for the squad, whose previous fixture took place on September 19.
Clausura Standings and Copa Libertadores Implications
River currently sits eighth in its zone with 13 points through the opening stage of the Clausura. With six regular-season fixtures remaining, the club faces a tight window to secure its objectives. Following the matches against Sarmiento and Estudiantes de Río Cuarto, the fixture list includes upcoming meetings with Belgrano in Córdoba, Racing at the Monumental, Boca Juniors at La Bombonera, and Aldosivi in Mar del Plata.
Winning the Clausura represents one of two remaining paths for River to qualify for the 2027 Copa Libertadores. To claim that route, the team must finish among the top eight in its group during the regular phase and subsequently capture the title through the playoffs. Alternatively, the club can qualify via the annual aggregate table, where a recent defeat against Huracán left them eighth with 42 points—five points behind Boca Juniors, who currently hold the third and final qualification spot through the annual standings.
Upcoming Match Schedule
- River Plate vs. Estudiantes de Río Cuarto (Matchday 12): Saturday, October 10 at 21:30 at the Estadio Monumental.
- Sarmiento vs. River Plate (Matchday 11): Wednesday, October 14 at 19:00 at the Estadio Eva Perón.
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