River Plate will try to bounce back from a rocky start in the 2026 Clausura Tournament when they visit Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata this Wednesday. Coach Eduardo Coudet returns to the bench after his suspension was lifted, while Gimnasia’s Ariel Pereyra is forced to change his lineup due to injuries, hoping to stop the Millionaires.
Rosario Central and Racing Club played out a 0-0 draw in Matchday 2 of the 2026 Torneo Clausura, but the game will be remembered for a brilliant backheel goal by defender Facundo Mallo that was ruled out by a millimeter offside after a lengthy VAR review. Both coaches shared mixed feelings after the intense encounter at the Gigante de Arroyito.
The 2026 Clausura Tournament is in full swing, and Argentinos Juniors—affectionately known as "El Bicho" (The Bug)—sits alone at the summit of Zone B after crushing Estudiantes de Río Cuarto 3-0. San Lorenzo, Banfield, and Rosario Central also featured in an action-packed matchday that already signals exciting trends for the second half of the Argentine football season.
In the goalless draw between Rosario Central and Racing Club, an exquisite heel goal by Facundo Mallo was disallowed for a millimetric offside. The VAR took several minutes to confirm the linesman's decision, leaving fans in awe.
With three matches postponed due to Copa Sudamericana commitments, the second round of the Torneo Clausura kicks off on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. River Plate and San Lorenzo aim to bounce back from painful defeats, while Racing and Independiente look to build on their strong starts. Here's the full schedule, referees, and context for a pivotal weekend in Argentine football.
El Torneo Clausura 2026 comenzó con una sorpresa mayúscula en el Estadio Guillermo Laza. Deportivo Riestra, motivado por una emotiva arenga de su capitán Milton Céliz, aplastó 3-0 a Boca Juniors. El técnico xeneize, Rodolfo Arruabarrena, no esquivó la autocrítica y aseguró que el responsable es él, mientras el equipo ya piensa en la Sudamericana.
Gustavo Quinteros' Rojo stunned the home crowd at Estadio UNO with goals from Gabriel Ávalos and Santiago Montiel. Goalkeeper Rodrigo Rey was the hero, saving a penalty from Guido Carrillo, while a costly error by Ramiro Funes Mori sealed the defeat for the Pincha.
Con un gol de Gonzalo Morales y una gran estrategia defensiva, Barracas Central derrotó 1-0 a River Plate en el estreno del Torneo Clausura 2026. El nuevo técnico Damián Ayude, íntimo amigo del interino riverplatense Ariel Broggi, desveló la clave de esta inédita victoria en el Estadio Monumental.
In a stunning upset, Barracas Central defeated River Plate 1-0 at the iconic Estadio Monumental on July 25, 2026, marking the first time in the club's history they have won at that venue. The goal came from Gonzalo Morales, while River debuted new signings Nicolás Otamendi and Ángel Correa. The Torneo Clausura 2026 has just begun, and River has time to recover.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
