Independiente's agonizing 1-0 away victory over Deportivo Riestra in the fifteenth round of the 2025 Clausura Tournament has kept its hopes of qualifying for the 2026 Copa Sudamericana alive, although it depends on several results. Firstly, the team led by Gustavo Quinteros, which has three consecutive victories with zero goals against, must defeat Rosario Central, the leader of the annual table with 66 points and only one defeat all year, at the Libertadores de América stadium. After defeating 'Malevo' and ending their 27-match unbeaten run at home, 'Rojo' climbed to twelfth place in the annual table with 44 points and keeps its hopes of qualifying for the Copa Sudamericana alive, despite having no chance of competing in the local championship's Playoffs. On the other hand, the recent win confirmed 'Canalla' as the undisputed leader of Zone B, so coach Ariel Holan might opt to include several substitutes in the upcoming match to be held in Avellaneda. This way, qualification for the international tournament is complicated but not impossible, although it will depend on several results in the last round of the Clausura. Independiente must defeat Rosario Central, Huracán must not get three points against Barracas Central, the Clausura champion must be in the Top 9 of the annual table, and Lanús must win the Sudamericana against Atlético Mineiro or finish below the 'Red Devils' in the general table. For the latter, 'Granate' must lose to Atlético Tucumán, which has a chance to compete in the direct knockout rounds of the national tournament. What did Gustavo Quinteros say about the match against Rosario Central? Quinteros, after Independiente's agonizing win over Riestra: 'with Central, it's a final'.
