Argentinos Juniors' draw against Barracas Central has direct consequences for the race to qualify for the 2027 Copa Libertadores. The goalless draw this weekend keeps El Bicho as the sole leader of the annual table, but their advantage was cut to just one point, as reported by Ole.
How did the annual table look after the draw?
Argentinos Juniors now has 46 points from 24 matches played, with a goal difference of +9. However, their closest chaser, Independiente Rivadavia, is just one point behind with 45 points and a +13 goal difference. Velez Sarsfield sits in third place with 44 points and a +11 differential. The fight for the spots that grant qualification to the top continental competition is extremely tight. As Ole noted, "The difference between the last team in and the first team out is only three points."
Which teams are in the qualification zone?
The annual table determines the qualifiers for the Copa Libertadores, alongside the champion of the Apertura tournament. That champion is already Belgrano, who has thus secured its spot for the 2027 edition. In the general table, the positions that currently grant a berth are held by Boca Juniors (4th, 41 pts, +12), Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata (5th, 41 pts, 0), and Rosario Central (6th, 40 pts, +5). River Plate is seventh with 39 points and a +11 goal difference, closely followed by Estudiantes de La Plata and Belgrano itself, both on 38 points.
| Position | Team | Points | MP | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Argentinos Juniors | 46 | 24 | +9 |
| 2 | Independiente Rivadavia | 45 | 24 | +13 |
| 3 | Vélez Sarsfield | 44 | 24 | +11 |
| 4 | Boca Juniors | 41 | 24 | +12 |
| 5 | Gimnasia (LP) | 41 | 24 | 0 |
| 6 | Rosario Central | 40 | 24 | +5 |
How much of the season is left to play?
There are eight matchdays remaining in the Liga Profesional, which equals 24 points still available for every team. This margin is more than enough for significant changes in the standings. Clubs like Independiente (10th, 37 pts) and Instituto (11th, 37 pts) also remain within striking distance of the international cup places. The next round will be key in defining trends for this final stretch. Fans can follow the evolution of the table on our standings page.
What does this result mean for Argentinos Juniors?
For the leaders, the draw represents two points dropped at home that could be costly at the end of the championship. Although they retain top spot, the pressure from their immediate pursuers has increased. The Argentinos Juniors squad must quickly find more effectiveness in attack to stays. The team has the chance to respond in its next fixture, which can be checked on the fixtures calendar. The manager will need to analyze the team's performance statistics, available on stats, to adjust the strategy. El Bicho's next match is against Platense next Sunday.
