River Plate faces Ciudad de Bolívar in the round of 32 of the 2026 Copa Argentina at Estadio Parque La Pedrera in Villa Mercedes, San Luis. Marcelo Gallardo's team arrives with numerous lineup changes following recent defeats in the Apertura Tournament and debuts its controversial violet kit. The match airs on TyC Sports without VAR.
River Plate, amid a football crisis after 4-1 and 1-0 defeats to Tigre and Argentinos Juniors in the 2026 Apertura Tournament, debuts in the Copa Argentina against Ciudad de Bolívar. The match takes place at Estadio Parque La Pedrera, opened in 2017 with a 28,000 capacity. The Millonario lines up Santiago Beltrán in goal; Gonzalo Montiel, Lucas Martínez Quarta, Paulo Díaz, and Matías Viña in defense; Fausto Vera, Aníbal Moreno, and Tomás Galván in midfield; and Juanfer Quintero, Agustín Ruberto, and Maximiliano Salas up front, with Marcelo Gallardo as coach. Ciudad de Bolívar fields Agustín Rufinetti; Agustín Paredes, Ezequiel Navarro, Elías Martínez, and Carlos Cuello; Nahuel Yeri, Brian Quintana, and Alex Díaz; Arnaldo González; Guillermo Sánchez and Khalil Caraballo, coached by Diego Funes. Nicolás Ramírez referees the match.
River debuts its third violet kit, a color previously used in 2008 and 2018, which drew fan backlash for its design. The jersey was meant for the Argentinos Juniors game but premieres here. Marcos Acuña misses out due to flu. The opponent wears a celeste kit with River's crest printed on it.
The first half ended 0-0. Ciudad de Bolívar threatened early with shots from Khalil Caraballo and Álex Díaz. River controlled possession, with Quintero active on long-range efforts and chances for Fausto Vera and Tomás Galván, but no goal. Early in the second half, Álex Díaz missed a clear chance. River created danger with Galván's shot hitting the crossbar at the 3', headers from Martínez Quarta and Matías Viña, and a free kick from Quintero. Gallardo made three changes at the 14': Facundo Colidio, Ian Subiabre, and Joaquín Freitas in for Salas, Ruberto, and Vera. At the 38', Santiago Lencina for Galván. At the 40', penalty for River after a foul on Freitas. The winner will face Aldosivi in the next round.
