Can River turn the tide? River Plate endured a spotty 2026 campaign, and so far it hasn’t clinched the league nor amassed enough points for a 2027 Libertadores berth, a key aim for a club that has lifted the continental crown four times and settled for the Sudamericana this year.
Its first real shot at a Libertadores slot came in the Apertura final, where it fell 3‑2 to Belgrano de Córdoba. The annual table offered no rescue either, as the side finished seventh with 55 points from 17 wins, four draws and 11 losses – a surprisingly low tally for a heavyweight.
the team from Núñez earned a 2027 Copa Sudamericana berth and cannot claim any freed Libertadores slot because the maximum available is two while three rivals sit ahead – Independiente Rivadavia, Gimnasia de La Plata and Vélez Sarsfield.
The only realistic route to the 2027 Libertadores is winning the Clausura, where River meets Lanús in the Monumental round of 16. A victory would set up a quarter‑final against the winner of Instituto de Córdoba vs. Huracán. Potential semi opponents include Vélez, Belgrano, Argentinos Juniors or Independiente. Home advantage exists only if they face the Globe, the Pirate or the Red. The final on neutral ground on December 12 could pit them against Rosario Central or Boca, the latter having already bested them in both Superclásicos this year. For my money, securing the title is the club’s only lifeline.
Should River fail to reverse fortunes in the Clausura, the Millonario will head to the Sudamericana for a second straight year, a tournament it exited in the round of 16 after a penalty shootout loss to Independiente Santa Fe.
River’s season was riddled with setbacks. Beyond the Apertura final loss, early exits in the Sudamericana and Copa Argentina compounded the disappointment. Moreover, the club swapped coaches twice – a rarity in the past twenty years – with Marcelo Gallardo replaced by Eduardo Coudet, who then handed the reins to Leonardo Ponzio, first as interim before being confirmed through year’s end.