Lanús wins title and secures Libertadores spot

Lanús has added a star to its name but has also grown at a continental level as it will now play the South American Recopa, against the champion of the Libertadores (Flamengo or Palmeiras, who play next Saturday), and has secured a direct ticket to play in the 2026 Libertadores. In this way, Lanús joins Platense, Independiente Rivadavia, Rosario Central, and Boca, the four teams so far confirmed from Argentina to play in the Libertadores, a tournament that in 2017 took them to the final and now gives them a chance to take revenge. However, the coronation of Mauricio Pellegrino's team not only filled the city of Lanús with happiness and pride, whose streets will celebrate the conquest for a long time. This is because Lanús's qualification for the Libertadores freed up a spot in the annual table of Argentine football, shifting positions and giving a chance to teams that saw themselves out of contention. The first beneficiary was Barracas Central, which automatically secured a place in the Sudamericana zone. To get into the Sudamericana, the 'Rojo' needs the Clausura champion to be one of the teams already qualified for next year's cups. Although the Tapia team is still alive in the Clausura Tournament and, if it were to be champion, could get into the Libertadores (it plays in the round of 16 against Deportivo Riestra), for now it has already secured its presence in the second most important tournament in CONMEBOL. Now, the one waiting for a sign from destiny is Independiente de Avellaneda, the first in line behind Barracas, who needed Lanús's title to keep their chances of having a 2026 with international commitments. He won the final of the 2025 Sudamericana against Atlético Mineiro on penalties and obtained his third international title after the 1996 CONMEBOL Cup and the same Sudamericana but in 2013. That is, if the title remains in the hands of Rosario Central, Boca, Argentinos Juniors, River, Racing, Riestra, San Lorenzo, Lanús, Tigre, or Barracas, ten of the 16 that are in the round of 16, a high probability that excites Gustavo Quinteros's team. Lanús made history in Asunción, Paraguay.