The third matchday of the 2026 Apertura Tournament in the Liga Profesional wrapped up with Boca Juniors and River Plate holding strong positions in their respective zones. Only one team has a perfect record so far in the competition. Key results include draws and wins such as Instituto 2-2 Lanús, Independiente de Mendoza 2-1 Sarmiento, and Banfield 2-1 Estudiantes RC.
Matchday 3 of the 2026 Apertura Tournament left a competitive landscape in the Liga Profesional, with Boca Juniors and River Plate staying at the top of their zones. Reports indicate only one team holds a perfect score after these games, though it is not specified which. Notable outcomes include Instituto's 2-2 draw with Lanús, Independiente de Mendoza's 2-1 win over Sarmiento, and Banfield's 2-1 victory against Estudiantes RC.
In Group A, Instituto and Lanús drew 2-2 at the Monumental de Alta Córdoba Stadium in Córdoba. Instituto's goals came from Franco Jara at the 24th minute of the first half (penalty) and Matías Gallardo at the 47th of the second. Lanús equalized with strikes from Sasha Marcich at the 8th of the second half and Marcelino Moreno at the 25th. The match was even in possession (49% Instituto, 51% Lanús) and shots on target (11 each), with two yellow cards per team and no reds. Instituto sits 12th in its group, while Lanús leads at 1st.
In Group B, Independiente de Mendoza beat Sarmiento 2-1 at the Bautista Gargantini Stadium in Mendoza. Fabrizio Sartori scored first at the 21st minute of the first half, Alejo Osella added one at the 6th of the second, and Junior Marabel pulled one back at the 24th for Sarmiento. Both sides had 50% possession, but Independiente took 19 shots to Sarmiento's 16. Sarmiento received three yellows, no reds. Independiente tops the group at 1st, Sarmiento at 9th.
Banfield defeated Estudiantes RC 2-1 at the Florencio Sola Stadium in Banfield. Martín Garnerone opened for Estudiantes at the 14th minute of the first half, but Lautaro Gómez tied it at the 11th of the second and Mauro Méndez sealed the win at the 43rd. Banfield held 52% possession, with 11 shots on target each and two yellows per side. Banfield is 8th in Group B, Estudiantes RC 14th.
These results keep the league tight, with upcoming matches set for the weekend.
