River Plate started the Clausura Tournament in the worst possible way, and the four consecutive defeats seriously complicated their chances of qualifying for the 2027 Copa Libertadores through the annual table. Still, they retain a minimal possibility if they achieve an almost perfect performance in the remaining regular phase.
Since 2022, the top three from the accumulated table qualify, except for those who are already champions. The third place secures a spot in Phase 2, the same stage where Boca and Argentinos were eliminated in the 2025 and 2026 editions.
A review of the last seasons shows how many points were needed to secure a spot. In 2022, Argentinos qualified directly with 67 points (54.5 percent) and Huracán went to the playoff with 65. In 2023, San Lorenzo accumulated 64 and Godoy Cruz 63. In 2024, River itself qualified with 70 points and Boca finished second with 67. All those tournaments were played over 41 matches.
The landscape changed in 2025 with the current format of 32 matches. Boca qualified directly with 62 points (64.6 percent) and Argentinos reached the playoff with 57. The bar was raised because there are fewer matches to accumulate points.
The calculations that Millonario needs to make
With that precedent, River should aim for 60 percent of the points to secure at least a spot in the second preliminary phase of the Libertadores 2027. Currently, the Núñez team has 29 points in 20 matches, which represents only 48.3 percent. Additionally, they have not added any of the last 12 points at stake.
They have 36 possible points left in the 12 matches remaining in the regular phase of the Clausura. To reach 60 percent, they would need to earn 29 of those 36 points. This translates to a minimum of nine victories, with room for two draws and one loss, or ten wins and two losses. The margin for error is very slim.
Meanwhile, River is still in the race in the Copa Sudamericana. This Wednesday, they play the first leg of the round of 16 in Colombia against Independiente Santa Fe. Winning that tournament would guarantee them a continental spot, just as lifting the Clausura title would.
Unlike what happened until 2024, when the leader of the League almost always coincided with the top of the annual table, now the playoffs reduce the chances of the Apertura and Clausura champions freeing up spots. Belgrano has already lifted the Apertura, and the winner of the Clausura will also occupy a place.
The current situation in the table
If River finishes between fourth and ninth place in the accumulated table, they would return to the Sudamericana zone. At this moment, they occupy the 12th position and are out of all international competition for next year. The gap with the positions that qualify for spots is considerable, and the time to recover ground shrinks match by match.
