River Plate vs Universitario

On Tuesday, Group B's leading teams face off in the Copa Libertadores as Argentina's River Plate host Peru's Universitario at Estadio Monumental.

River Plate have already secured their spot in the knockout rounds, while Universitario aim to join them, holding a slim two-point advantage over Independiente del Valle for second place as the final group stage match approaches.

Four-time South American champions, River Plate are chasing their first Copa Libertadores title since 2018 and have dominated Group B, remaining unbeaten. In their latest match, the Buenos Aires side staged a comeback to crush Ecuador’s Independiente 6-2 at home, capitalizing on their opponents being reduced to 10 men before halftime. Five different River players scored, securing 11 points and first place in the group with a game to spare.

However, their momentum took a hit in the Argentine Primera Division playoffs, where they were eliminated on Wednesday, dashing hopes of winning this year’s Apertura. With rivals Boca Juniors and Copa Sudamericana holders Racing Club already out, the title had seemed within reach. Despite a dramatic 112th-minute equalizer from 17-year-old Franco Mastantuono in their quarter-final against Platense, River fell 4-2 in the penalty shootout, even with Mastantuono converting his attempt.

Despite this setback, River have been in top form, losing just once since March and scoring 19 goals in their last six matches, winning five. They are favored to repeat their April victory over Independiente, where Paulo Diaz’s solitary goal sealed the win in Lima. That result marked Universitario’s third loss in four Copa Libertadores meetings with River since their memorable away triumph in 1967.

Under Jorge Fossati, Universitario have earned seven points from their other four group-stage games, giving them control over their qualification fate. They sit just ahead of Independiente, who risk dropping to the Copa Sudamericana with a third-place finish.

A key goal from Alex Valera clinched a win against Ecuador’s Barcelona in Universitario’s latest continental match. Since then, their domestic form has been mixed, with a surprising 2-0 loss to Juan Pablo II followed by a 2-0 victory over Sporting Cristal on Friday, keeping them neck-and-neck with Allianza Lima at the top of the Apertura table.