River seeks redemption against Belgrano in the final of the Torneo Apertura

River Plate will face Belgrano in the final of the 2026 Torneo Apertura on May 24, a clash with a lot of history, as the club from Córdoba was responsible for relegating the Millonarios down to the Primera B Nacional in 2011, their lowest period in history. The final will be played at Córdoba’s Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. local time, with more than 57,000 fans expected in attendance for the season’s first domestic title decider. It’s a matchup few would have predicted at the beginning of the season but one that reflects the shifting landscape of Argentine football. River booked its place in the final after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Rosario Central at the Monumental on Saturday. Facundo Colidio converted a second-half penalty in a tense encounter that saw the hosts withstand heavy pressure from Central and former Argentina star Ángel Di María. Belgrano joined them a day later after edging Argentinos Juniors on penalties following a 1-1 draw at La Paternal. The Córdoba side showed composure under pressure to reach one of the biggest matches in the club’s recent history. River’s comeback The run to the final marks a dramatic turnaround for River, which looked adrift only months ago following the departure of Marcelo Gallardo. The legendary coach stepped down in February after a disappointing second spell in charge, ending an era defined by inconsistency and mounting criticism. His replacement, Eduardo “Chacho” Coudet, has quickly stabilized the team and guided River to its first final since Gallardo’s exit. The club has rediscovered its defensive solidity and competitive edge during the knockout rounds, restoring optimism among supporters after a turbulent start to 2026. However, the club will face an extra challenge in the final, as three of its key players will be absent due to injuries: World Cup-winning full-back Gonzalo Montiel — famous for kicking Argentina’s winning penalty against France — who suffered a muscle tear; forward Sebastián Driussi, and midfielder Aníbal Moreno, both ruled out due to knee sprains. Belgrano looking to repeat history For Belgrano, meanwhile, the final represents a chance to secure one of the greatest achievements in the club’s history against one of Argentina’s traditional giants. This is the first time the Piratas have reached the final of a professional competition. As a Córdoba club, it will enjoy local status. And Belgrano has shown it can beat the Millonarios when it counts, after defeating them in the relegation playoff series in June 2011, a memory that will be very present for both teams during the clash on Sunday.