Buenos Aires, November 25 (NA) — After River Plate was eliminated from the Clausura Tournament Round of 16 by Racing 3-2, the 'Millionaire' no longer has a chance to qualify directly for the Copa Libertadores and now depends on others to even reach the playoff for the 'Eternal Glory'. According to the analysis by the Argentine News Agency, the team coached by Marcelo Gallardo lost one of the most accessible paths to the continental tournament, as their defeat to 'La Academia' ended their year, and now they must rely on other results. The surprising elimination of Rosario Central at the hands of Estudiantes de La Plata altered the qualifying scenario and left the Núñez team with less margin as the year comes to a close. Boca 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. In this case, the Núñez team would enter the continental tournament's preliminary stage by taking third place in the annual playoff standings. The Lanús case is particular: by winning the Copa Sudamericana, they have already secured a ticket to the next Libertadores, and if they also win the Clausura, they would free up their spot, and River would advance directly. Furthermore, since Boca and Argentinos Juniors face each other in the quarter-finals, one of these paths is already nullified, and the chances continue to decrease. Thus, River currently only has two options to reach the Copa Libertadores. With less margin and more calculation, River still keeps several possibilities alive and maintains its hopes intact for playing the biggest continental competition in 2026. The team coached by Ariel Holan could have freed up a spot by winning the championship, a possibility that is no longer in play. River will depend on third parties: Boca, Argentinos Juniors, or Lanús could free up a spot if they are crowned champions.
