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The Star
09-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Explainer-Soccer-Argentine Apertura tournament explained
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Argentine Primera Division - River Plate v Boca Juniors - Estadio Mas Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina - April 27, 2025 Boca Juniors' Kevin Zenon in action with River Plate's Facundo Colidio REUTERS/Rodrigo Valle/File Photo (Reuters) - Argentina's football season shifts into high gear this weekend as the Apertura tournament kicks off its knockout phase, setting the stage for three weeks of drama. Here's everything you need to know as Argentina's top clubs chase glory. WHAT IS THE APERTURA? The Apertura or "Opening" tournament is half of Argentina's split-season format, which was reintroduced in 2025 after its last implementation in 2012. It runs from January to June and is followed by the Clausura or "Closing" tournament from July to December. HOW DID WE GET HERE? The tournament reaches its climax after a 16-round group stage, where 30 clubs are split into two 15-team groups or zones playing 14 matches within their group and two inter-zonal clashes against the other. The top eight from each zone advance to the knockout stage, seeded by their regular-season results in a bracket designed to keep the nation's fiercest rivals apart until a possible final showdown. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? The round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals will be single-legged ties hosted by the higher-seeded team with matches level after 90 minutes proceeding straight to penalties. The final will be played on neutral ground at the Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades in Santiago del Estero on June 1, with extra time before penalties if necessary. WHO ARE THE CONTENDERS? Despite occasional stumbles through the group stage, River Plate and Boca Juniors remain the dominant forces in Argentine football, accounting for seven of the last 10 league titles between them. With the big two on opposite sides of the bracket, hopes are high for a potential Superclasico final that would send the nation into collective delirium. River appear to be hitting their stride at the right time, having scored 11 goals in their last four matches, including a 4-1 thrashing of reigning champions Velez Sarsfield, who failed to qualify for the knockouts. Boca were on top form before a late stumble, including a Superclasico loss, saw them slip from top spot on goal difference. Beyond the Buenos Aires giants, Group A winners Argentinos Juniors are seeking their first title since 2010, while Rosario Central, leaders in Group B, could be well positioned to end a 38-year league championship drought. YOUNG TALENT TAKING CENTRE STAGE Despite a steady stream of promising players heading abroad, Argentina's production line continues to turn out talent. River remain one of the most important academies and their 17-year-old midfielder Franco Mastantuono has been linked with a move to Manchester United as he attracted attention with his stunning free-kick in last month's Superclasico. Winger Ian Subiabre has also drawn Premier League interest, increasing his playing time in River's attack. The 18-year-old could follow in the footsteps of former teammate Claudio Echeverri, who joined Manchester City after a few senior games. Boca have 19-year-old Milton Delgado, widely regarded as one of the world's top midfield prospects, while Kevin Zenon appears set for European shores after this year's Club World Cup. Rosario Central striker Santiago Lopez has also made a strong impression, scoring twice in his last six regular-season appearances. WHAT'S AT STAKE? Beyond national glory, the Apertura champions automatically qualify for the 2026 Copa Libertadores - South America's Champions League - and will contest the Argentine Champions Trophy against the Clausura winners. WHO QUALIFIED? ZONE A ZONE B Argentinos Rosario Central Juniors Boca Juniors River Plate Racing Club Independiente Huracan San Lorenzo Tigre Deportivo Riestra Independiente Platense Rivadavia Barracas Lanus Central Estudiantes Instituto LAST 16 FIXTURES: May 10: San Lorenzo v Tigre Rosario Central v Estudiantes Racing Club v Platense Boca Juniors v Lanus May 11: Independiente v Independiente Rivadavia Argentinos Juniors v Instituto Huracan v Deportivo Riestra May 12: River Plate v Barracas (Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City; Editing by Ken Ferris)
Reuters
10-03-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Colidio's late strike gives River Plate 1-0 home win over Atletico Tucuman
BUENOS AIRES, March 9 (Reuters) - A superb second-half strike from Facundo Colidio earned River Plate a hard-fought 1-0 home win over Atletico Tucuman in the Argentine Primera Division Apertura tournament on Sunday, lifting Marcelo Gallardo's side to second place in Group B. In front of a sell-out home crowd at the Mas Monumental, River were desperate to take the lead in the first half and created a number of chances, but despite the best efforts of Maximiliano Meza, Rodrigo Aliendro and Franco Mastantuono, none could capitalise. After the break, the visitors continued to keep River at bay, with Tucuman goalkeeper Tomas Durso making several outstanding saves to deny Maximiliano Meza and Miguel Borja. It was Colidio who finally gave River the lead in the 79th minute with an unstoppable shot from long range, assisted by Mastantuono, before they were reduced to 10 men in stoppage time when Santiago Simon was sent off after a collision with Miguel Brizuela. River moved to second with 18 points, two behind leaders Independiente and one ahead of Rosario Central, who have a game in hand. Tucuman are 10th on seven points. River Plate travel to Deportivo Riestra on Saturday.
Reuters
30-01-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Late Montiel header helps River snatch 1-0 win over Instituto
Jan 29 (Reuters) - Gonzalo Montiel buried a diving header in the 90th minute to earn River Plate a 1-0 home win over Instituto in their Argentine Primera Division Apertura tournament clash at the Estadio Monumental on Wednesday. The win moved River up to sixth place in the Group B standings with four points from two games, one point ahead of seventh-placed Instituto. In an eventful first half, both teams had goals disallowed due to offsides and the match was interrupted for several minutes by technical issues, while River also had a penalty claim denied when Facundo Colidio went down in the box. Advertisement · Scroll to continue River looked set for a second straight draw to start the season until the 90th minute, when substitute Paulo Diaz's header from a corner hit the post and World Cup winner Montiel was on hand to nod home the rebound.
