{"id":661204,"date":"2025-11-04T11:00:59","date_gmt":"2025-11-04T16:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=661204"},"modified":"2025-11-04T05:57:51","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T10:57:51","slug":"river-plate-turmoil-headlines-south-american-football-round-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2025\/11\/04\/river-plate-turmoil-headlines-south-american-football-round-up\/","title":{"rendered":"River Plate Turmoil Ahead of Superclasico Headlines South American Football Round-Up"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>While the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2025\/11\/04\/uefa-champions-league-matchday-4-predictions-including-dortmund-vs-manchester-city\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Champions League<\/a> and Europa League kick off midweek action in Europe, the headlines from South American football center around Argentine giants River Plate \u2014 in their worst form in years \u2014 ahead of the Supercl\u00e1sico clash with eternal Buenos Aires rivals Boca Juniors. Elsewhere, Coquimbo Unido claimed a historic title in Chile, while <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2025\/11\/04\/chivas-clinch-liga-mx-playoff-lionel-messi-mls-elimination\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">MLS and Liga MX delivered<\/a> compelling weekend action across North America.<\/p>\n<h2>New River Plate President Faces A Crisis Ahead of Supercl\u00e1sico<\/h2>\n<p>Since their <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2025\/09\/25\/vitor-roque-and-palmeiras-defeat-river-plate-to-reach-copa-libertadores-semifinals\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">elimination by Palmeiras<\/a> in the 2025 Copa Libertadores quarterfinals, things have gone <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/EMGRiverPlate\/status\/1985372616925003988\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">from bad<\/a> to worse for Argentine superclub River Plate. The club that produced stars like Juli\u00e1n \u00c1lvarez (Atl\u00e9tico Madrid) and new Real Madrid starter Franco Mastantuono is now dealing with an aging, injury-hit, and out-of-form squad.<\/p>\n<p>Marcelo Gallardo\u2019s second stint at River has been turbulent, with the team losing five of their last seven matches. The attack has gone dry, River haven\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n<p>River fans voiced their frustration over the weekend, with 25-year-old Colombian international Kevin Casta\u00f1o and the 32-year-old Borja among the most criticized. Eighteen-year-old <a href=\"https:\/\/thehardtackle.com\/transfer-news\/2025\/11\/02\/liverpool-entry-in-race-to-sign-ian-subiabre-generates-strong-reaction-from-river-plate\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ian Subiabre<\/a>, who\u2019s reportedly attracting Premier League interest, has managed just one goal in 15 appearances this season. The Monumental stadium chanted <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/UnEnzoMas\/status\/1985156086979084459\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">&#8220;out with all of them&#8221;<\/a> at River Plate&#8217;s players during the <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/RiverLPM\/status\/1985155472375369755\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">defeat.<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2244250796\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 66.66667% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/2244250796?et=E5B2s_KWTHJecGIcnFIUMQ&amp;tld=com&amp;sig=8wxIU2LzE9q4wgdScDVwwQCE-XjBDeNs8MP7FqAkYVg=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" width=\"594\" height=\"396\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>New club president <a href=\"https:\/\/www.batimes.com.ar\/news\/sports\/stefano-di-carlo-36-becomes-youngest-river-plate-president-since-antonio-vespucio-liberti.phtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Stefano Di Carlo<\/a> will soon face tough choices about Gallardo\u2019s future and the squad\u2019s direction. He has already admitted as much: <em>\u201cWe\u2019ll work on that and make our evaluations at the end of the season,\u201d<\/em> Di Carlo was quoted by the Buenos Aires Times.<\/p>\n<p>Boca Juniors, meanwhile, have won three of their last four ahead of hosting the Supercl\u00e1sico. 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\u2019s slump has put their spot in serious jeopardy.<\/p>\n<p>As for Boca, the player drawing Premier League transfer interest is 20-year-old midfielder <a href=\"https:\/\/www.footballfancast.com\/how-boca-juniors-view-chelseas-accelerating-pursuit-of-milton-delgado\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Milton Delgado<\/a> who is coveted by Chelsea.<\/p>\n<h3>Coquimbo Unido Claims Historic Chilean Title<\/h3>\n<p>With six more wins than any other team in Chile\u2019s Primera Divisi\u00f3n, Coquimbo Unido, from the city of Coquimbo (population ~200,000) \u2014 have clinched their first-ever top-flight Chilean Primera Division title after 67 years in existence.<\/p>\n<p>Thirty-four-year-old Panamanian international Cecilio Waterman led the way with 11 goals, but it was Coquimbo\u2019s defense that truly stood out. They conceded just 12 goals in 26 matches, half the total of second-place Universidad Cat\u00f3lica. Anchored by veterans like Uruguayan defender Manuel Fern\u00e1ndez, 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. <a href=\"https:\/\/onefootball.com\/fr\/news\/pirate-love-coquimbo-unido-chiles-underdogs-making-history-41874689\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">One Football<\/a> provided an excellent recap of Coquimbo\u2019s remarkable rise, as the \u201cPirates\u201d dominated Chilean football in 2025.<\/p>\n<h3>Medell\u00edn Rivals Poised for Cl\u00e1sico Paisa Rematch in 2025 Copa Colombia Final<\/h3>\n<p>The first legs of the Copa Colombia semifinals \u2014 adjusted due to scheduling changes \u2014 took place over the holiday weekend. The matches delivered contrasting storylines, but both Medell\u00edn-based powerhouses now hold the advantage heading into their second legs.<\/p>\n<p>Independiente Medell\u00edn rebounded strongly from their <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2025\/10\/27\/atletico-nacional-universitario-celebrate-triumphs\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">5\u20132 Clasico Paisa defeat<\/a> to Atl\u00e9tico Nacional. They crushed then Dimayor league leaders Atletico Bucaramanga 3\u20130 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.<\/p>\n<p>Relegated Envigado fought bravely but suffered after 21-year-old defender Didier Palacios was sent off \u2014 his second red card in consecutive matches. Leyser Chaverra missed a penalty for DIM, but <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=QIBPVDMAD_Q\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Diego Moreno eventually broke through<\/a> near the end of the game to give DIM a 1\u20130 advantage heading home. Medell\u00edn dominated possession (73%) and outshot Envigado 24\u20133 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 Medell\u00edn region, was full of DIM fans clad in red and blue.<\/p>\n<p>In the more anticipated semifinal, Atl\u00e9tico Nacional dismantled Am\u00e9rica de Cali 4\u20131 in front of a raucous crowd and a <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/NOTICIASDEVERDE\/status\/1985459244074713289\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">cauldron of green smoke<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2232537129\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 66.66667% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/2232537129?et=q4pR5-ZJQuZB6lw7_IV_hQ&amp;tld=com&amp;sig=i21PlqdmouJL1NzDWaDa045i0D4677de9_9Ic8j_Uho=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" width=\"594\" height=\"396\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3>Rengifo&#8217;s Olympic Goal<\/h3>\n<p>Then came a moment of magic \u2014 20-year-old rising star <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eltiempo.com\/deportes\/futbol-colombiano\/gol-olimpico-de-atletico-nacional-rengifo-hizo-espectacular-cobro-de-tiro-de-esquina-y-celebro-contra-el-america-video-3505534\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Juan Rengifo scored an olympic goal<\/a> directly from a corner to make it 3\u20130, adding to his aura. Former Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos netted the fourth just minutes later. Am\u00e9rica grabbed a late consolation goal, but a 4\u20131 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&#8217;s fans stormed the field before the final whistle.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Gol ol\u00edmpico de Juan Manuel Rengifo | Atl\u00e9tico Nacional vs America #atleticonacional #america #sdvsf\" width=\"540\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2WTZMHzV37I?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>All indications point toward a Cl\u00e1sico Paisa (Cl\u00e1sico Antioque\u00f1o) Copa Colombia final between Nacional and DIM.<\/p>\n<h3>With One Month to Go, Battle for Brasileirao CONMEBOL Tournament Spots Heats Up<\/h3>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2244714064\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 66.498314% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/2244714064?et=Ki3no72TR3F8irqhNt8kYA&amp;tld=com&amp;sig=urzaMCq7S6XhVd_lJcwkPMUFTB_0xbB9G0OFeT-WChw=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" width=\"594\" height=\"395\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The top three in the Brazilian S\u00e9rie A look settled, with 2025 Copa Libertadores finalists <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2025\/10\/30\/raphael-veigas-double-seals-palmeiras-comeback-and-a-libertadores-final-against-flamengo\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Palmeiras and Flamengo<\/a> fighting for the title, and Cruzeiro sitting third, five points behind.<\/p>\n<p>The real drama lies in the midtable. Corinthians have surged with three straight wins to climb into 10th \u2014 a Copa Sudamericana position \u2014 joined by in-form <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2025\/09\/15\/philippe-coutinho-and-angel-di-maria-remind-fans-of-their-brilliance-with-weekend-magic-in-south-america\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Vasco da Gama<\/a> and S\u00e3o Paulo, who have both won consecutive matches. Red Bull Bragantino have slumped with four straight losses, dropping to 14th, while Neymar\u2019s Santos remain just two places clear of relegation on 33 points.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo Credit: Imago Images Copyright: xJuanxManuelxBaezx<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 \u2014 in their worst form in years \u2014 ahead of the Supercl\u00e1sico clash with eternal Buenos Aires rivals Boca Juniors. Elsewhere, Coquimbo Unido claimed a historic title in Chile, while [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1442,"featured_media":659909,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[30,2],"tags":[231,2215,32385,32646,32654,32473,4437,898,978,32603],"class_list":["post-661204","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-featured","tag-atletico-nacional","tag-boca-juniors","tag-brasileiro","tag-coquimbo-unido","tag-corinthians","tag-independiente-medellin","tag-marcelo-gallardo","tag-palmeiras","tag-river-plate","tag-vasco-de-gama"],"modified_by":"Steen Kirby","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/661204","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1442"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=661204"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/661204\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":661210,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/661204\/revisions\/661210"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/659909"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=661204"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=661204"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=661204"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}