With only eight teams in the running, the Apertura Tournament 2026 is getting closer to its conclusion and is already set for the quarter-finals. In this context, this afternoon the Professional League officially announced the appointment of referees for the upcoming matches.
Action will begin this Tuesday with two matches. In Córdoba, Belgrano will host Unión with Andrés Merlos as the main referee, in a duel that will see the Santa Fe team as the only survivor from Zone A. On the same day, Argentinos Juniors will face Huracán with Fernando Echenique as the referee.
The day will be completed on Wednesday with two more key matches. In Rosario, Darío Herrera will officiate the match between Rosario Central and Racing, while at the Estadio Monumental, River will play against Gimnasia y Esgrima de La Plata with Leonardo Rey Hilfer as the referee.
With these matchups, the tournament is on track to determine the semi-finalists of a competition that in less than two weeks will crown the champion of the first semester at Mario Alberto Kempes, who will also secure a spot in the Copa Libertadores 2027.
The referee teams for the quarter-finals
Belgrano - Unión (12/5 at 19:00)
Referee: Andrés Merlos
Assistant Referee 1: Diego Bonfá
Assistant Referee 2: Federico Cano
Fourth Official: Joaquín Gil
VAR: Fernando Espinoza
AVAR: Salomé Di Iorio
Argentinos - Huracán (12/5 at 21:30)
Referee: Fernando Echenique
Assistant Referee 1: Pablo González
Assistant Referee 2: Agustín Méndez
Fourth Official: Felipe Viola
