Estudiantes de La Plata defeated Platense 2-1 in San Nicolás to claim the 2025 Champions Trophy, adding their second star of the year after a late comeback from a goal down.
The match, held in San Nicolás, featured a dull first half with just one clear chance for Estudiantes in the 7th minute of the second half, when Edwuin Cetré's shot forced a save from Federico Losas. Platense took the lead in the 4th minute of the second half with a powerful shot by Franco Zapiola inside the box, unbeatable for Fernando Muslera.
Estudiantes mounted a comeback in the closing minutes, however. At the 32nd minute of the second half, Lucas Alario equalized with a header from a cross in the box, and in the final play of the 90 minutes, Alario scored the 2-1 winner with another header off a Cetré cross, securing the dramatic victory.
During celebrations, José Sosa dedicated the title to Carlos Bilardo: "I hope he can be lucid enough to understand the news of what we've just done because this is thanks to the history they wrote." The absence of Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia from the award ceremony raised eyebrows, linked to strained relations between the AFA and Estudiantes. Juan Sebastián Verón, under a six-month AFA suspension, watched from the stands like an ordinary fan, with his family.
This win qualifies Estudiantes for the Argentine Supercup against Independiente Rivadavia and the International Supercup against Rosario Central in 2026. A week earlier, they had won the Clausura Tournament against Racing on penalties in Santiago del Estero. The head-to-head record shows 127 matches, with 59 wins for Estudiantes, 37 for Platense, and 31 draws; the last was a 1-1 in September 2024.
Lineups: Estudiantes (coach Eduardo Domínguez): Muslera; Gómez, Núñez, González Pirez, Benedetti; Tobio Burgos, Ascacibar, Medina, Piovi; Cetré, Carrillo. Platense (coach Walter Zunino): Losas; Saborido, Vázquez, Salomón, Silva; Picco, Herrera; Zapiola, Mainero, Schor; Martínez.
