Buenos Aires, November 25 (NA) — Following River Plate's elimination in the Clausura Tournament round of 16 by Racing Club 3-2, the team led by Marcelo Gallardo no longer has a chance to qualify for the Copa Libertadores on its own and must rely on other teams to advance to the continental competition's playoff stage. According to an analysis by the Argentine News Agency, the team lost one of its most accessible routes to the Copa Libertadores after being defeated by Racing and now depends on other results. River's season seemed poised to end on a low note, but the surprising elimination of Rosario Central by Estudiantes de La Plata and Lanús against Tigre—where the team was more focused on winning the Copa Sudamericana than advancing—left the Núñez squad with little margin for error as 2025 draws to a close. Boca Juniors and Rosario Central have already secured their places in the group stage, while Argentinos Juniors earned a playoff spot thanks to their position in the annual table. Ariel Holan's team could have freed up a spot by winning the tournament, a possibility that is now off the table, just as Lanús would have by winning the Sudamericana. In this situation, River depends on the teams in the quarterfinals, including its eternal rival, as Boca Juniors and Argentinos Juniors could free up a spot if they are crowned champions. In that case, the Núñez squad would enter the initial stage of the continental tournament by taking the third playoff spot based on the annual table. Boca Juniors and Argentinos Juniors will face off next Sunday at La Bombonera, and their match is the only path left for River to reach the Copa Libertadores.
