Overview
- River drew 0-0 at Vélez, finishing the regular phase in the Copa Sudamericana zone and outside direct qualification for the 2026 Copa Libertadores.
- The club now has two routes: win the Clausura to qualify directly or rely on Rosario Central, Boca, or Argentinos Juniors winning the tournament to open a repechage place.
- Argentinos Juniors’ victory over Estudiantes further narrowed River’s margin, reinforcing the need for either a title run or help from higher-ranked rivals.
- River advanced to the playoffs as sixth in Zone B and will start away in single-match octavos the weekend of November 23, with the final set for December 13 in Santiago del Estero.
- Post-match, Gallardo acknowledged a “negative” footballing spell and vowed to persist, then forcefully rejected a query that cast doubt on his self-demand, saying, “I won’t allow it.”