While the Champions League and Europa League kick off midweek action in Europe, the headlines from South American football center around Argentine giants River Plate — in their worst form in years — ahead of the Superclásico clash with eternal Buenos Aires rivals Boca Juniors. Elsewhere, Coquimbo Unido claimed a historic title in Chile, while MLS and Liga MX delivered compelling weekend action across North America.
New River Plate President Faces A Crisis Ahead of Superclásico
Since their elimination by Palmeiras in the 2025 Copa Libertadores quarterfinals, things have gone from bad to worse for Argentine superclub River Plate. The club that produced stars like Julián Álvarez (Atlético Madrid) and new Real Madrid starter Franco Mastantuono is now dealing with an aging, injury-hit, and out-of-form squad.
Marcelo Gallardo’s second stint at River has been turbulent, with the team losing five of their last seven matches. The attack has gone dry, River haven’t scored three goals in a game since August and were held scoreless in back-to-back matches, including a Copa Argentina elimination and an LPF defeat to Gimnasia L.P., where Miguel Borja missed a late penalty that could have tied the game.
River fans voiced their frustration over the weekend, with 25-year-old Colombian international Kevin Castaño and the 32-year-old Borja among the most criticized. Eighteen-year-old Ian Subiabre, who’s reportedly attracting Premier League interest, has managed just one goal in 15 appearances this season. The Monumental stadium chanted “out with all of them” at River Plate’s players during the defeat.
New club president Stefano Di Carlo will soon face tough choices about Gallardo’s future and the squad’s direction. He has already admitted as much: “We’ll work on that and make our evaluations at the end of the season,” Di Carlo was quoted by the Buenos Aires Times.
Boca Juniors, meanwhile, have won three of their last four ahead of hosting the Superclásico. Boca remain in the hunt for the 2025 LPF title with just two regular-season games left before the playoffs. Both sides are still fighting for 2026 Copa Libertadores qualification, but River’s slump has put their spot in serious jeopardy.
As for Boca, the player drawing Premier League transfer interest is 20-year-old midfielder Milton Delgado who is coveted by Chelsea.
Coquimbo Unido Claims Historic Chilean Title
With six more wins than any other team in Chile’s Primera División, Coquimbo Unido, from the city of Coquimbo (population ~200,000) — have clinched their first-ever top-flight Chilean Primera Division title after 67 years in existence.
Thirty-four-year-old Panamanian international Cecilio Waterman led the way with 11 goals, but it was Coquimbo’s defense that truly stood out. They conceded just 12 goals in 26 matches, half the total of second-place Universidad Católica. Anchored by veterans like Uruguayan defender Manuel Fernández, Coquimbo will now compete in the 2026 Copa Libertadores, their second appearance in the competition. In 2024, they finished third in their Copa Sudamericana group. One Football provided an excellent recap of Coquimbo’s remarkable rise, as the “Pirates” dominated Chilean football in 2025.
Medellín Rivals Poised for Clásico Paisa Rematch in 2025 Copa Colombia Final
The first legs of the Copa Colombia semifinals — adjusted due to scheduling changes — took place over the holiday weekend. The matches delivered contrasting storylines, but both Medellín-based powerhouses now hold the advantage heading into their second legs.
Independiente Medellín rebounded strongly from their 5–2 Clasico Paisa defeat to Atlético Nacional. They crushed then Dimayor league leaders Atletico Bucaramanga 3–0 on October 29th, with all three goals coming in the first half. Their Copa Colombia semifinal against Envigado, played on November 3rd in the 11,000-capacity Estadio Polideportivo Sur, was far less entertaining but equally decisive.
Relegated Envigado fought bravely but suffered after 21-year-old defender Didier Palacios was sent off — his second red card in consecutive matches. Leyser Chaverra missed a penalty for DIM, but Diego Moreno eventually broke through near the end of the game to give DIM a 1–0 advantage heading home. Medellín dominated possession (73%) and outshot Envigado 24–3 against a youthful side that continues to focus on player development and transfers abroad. The first leg was hosted by Envigado, but the stadium, which is also located in the Medellín region, was full of DIM fans clad in red and blue.
In the more anticipated semifinal, Atlético Nacional dismantled América de Cali 4–1 in front of a raucous crowd and a cauldron of green smoke at the Atanasio Girardot. Argentine Juan Bauza opened the scoring with a stunning strike before former Colombia international and ex-Porto man Mateus Uribe doubled the lead.
Rengifo’s Olympic Goal
Then came a moment of magic — 20-year-old rising star Juan Rengifo scored an olympic goal directly from a corner to make it 3–0, adding to his aura. Former Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos netted the fourth just minutes later. América grabbed a late consolation goal, but a 4–1 deficit will be difficult to overturn back home at the Estadio Pascual Guerrero in Cali. In 2024, Nacional won the Copa Colombia in Cali, as Cali’s fans stormed the field before the final whistle.
Nacional, unbeaten since September, also top the Liga BetPlay Dimayor table on goal difference. Managed by 40-year-old club legend Diego Arias, a 2016 Copa Libertadores champion as a player, the team has rediscovered its structure and now dreams of pulling off a league-and-cup double after they did so in 2024.
All indications point toward a Clásico Paisa (Clásico Antioqueño) Copa Colombia final between Nacional and DIM.
With One Month to Go, Battle for Brasileirao CONMEBOL Tournament Spots Heats Up
The top three in the Brazilian Série A look settled, with 2025 Copa Libertadores finalists Palmeiras and Flamengo fighting for the title, and Cruzeiro sitting third, five points behind.
The real drama lies in the midtable. Corinthians have surged with three straight wins to climb into 10th — a Copa Sudamericana position — joined by in-form Vasco da Gama and São Paulo, who have both won consecutive matches. Red Bull Bragantino have slumped with four straight losses, dropping to 14th, while Neymar’s Santos remain just two places clear of relegation on 33 points.
With roughly seven matchdays left in the season, the race for CONMEBOL tournament qualification is heating up across Brazil and the rest of South America.
Main Photo Credit: Imago Images Copyright: xJuanxManuelxBaezx
