The knockout stages for the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana, the two international tournaments in which Argentine teams compete under the CONMEBOL umbrella, have been drawn.

With nine Argentine teams having made it past the group stages across both competitions, here’s how they line up and what the path to a potential title looks like for each club.

River and Racing lead the charge for the Copa Libertadores

Four out of six Argentine teams in the Copa Libertadores made it through the group stages, namely Estudiantes de La Plata, River Plate, Racing Club and Vélez Sarsfield. Of the two ousted sides, Central Córdoba de Santiago del Estero finished third in Group C and qualified for the Copa Sudamericana playoffs, while Talleres (Córdoba) was eliminated after finishing fourth in Group D.

Despite wavering form, River Plate remain one of the biggest contenders to lift the title. The team led by Marcelo Gallardo hasn’t always been able to stamp their control on games, dropping points twice at home in the group stage. However, with an elite squad that features four Qatar 2022-winners and top young talents like Franco Mastantuono, Giuliano Galoppo and Agustín Ruberto, they shouldn’t be disregarded. 

The Millonario will face Paraguay’s Libertad in the round of 16, who finished second in Group D and was champion of the Paraguayan Torneo Apertura. Should they win, they’ll face one of Brazil’s Palmeiras or Peru’s Universitario in the quarters.

Hot on River’s heels in the candidates list is Racing Club. The 2024 Copa Sudamericana winners are another who have struggled to impose themselves at times, but they took advantage of a relatively weaker group to advance to the knockouts without much hesitation. They’re led by striker Adrian “Maravilla” Martínez, who’s scored at an astounding pace with 14 goals in just 21 games.

The Academia is set to face off against Uruguayan giants Peñarol, who will undoubtedly prepare a serious spectacle for the home crowd after playing all three group stages without spectators due to a ban. If Racing win, they could set up an all-Argentine quarters with Vélez Sarsfield or face Brazil’s Fortaleza.

Estudiantes de La Plata had a much tougher time securing their spot, requiring a win in their last game against Venezuela’s side Carabobo to claim a ticket to the knockout stage and top spot in Group A. With the debate on the private sports corporation model and U.S. magnate Foster Gillett’s investment hanging over them for the first part of the season, they will look to improve their form in the matches to come.

The Pincha will face Paraguay’s Cerro Porteño, coached by former Boca Juniors boss Diego Martínez. If they go through, they will face the winner of the Brazilian duel between Flamengo and Inter (Porto Alegre).

Another who will look to improve their early season form will be Vélez Sarsfield. The Fortín started the season in torrid form under head coach Sebastián Domínguez, but the uptick in form after Guillermo Barros Schelotto took over proved enough for top spot in Group H.

They will meet against Juan Pablo Vojvoda’s Fortaleza, and then Racing or Peñarol in the quarters.

The round of 16 first leg matches will be played across August 12 and 14, while the second leg will be played between August 19 and 21. The quarterfinals are scheduled to be played between in September while the semifinals kick off in October. The final will take place on Saturday, November 29 at the Monumental stadium in Lima.

Copa Sudamericana

Independiente, Huracán, Lanús, and Godoy Cruz are all in the Copa Sudamericana round of 16, with Libertadores drop out Central Córdoba taking part in the play off to join them.

Central Córdoba will face Uruguayan side Cerro Lago. If they win, they’ll face Lanús in the round of 16, the only Argentinean that can play out in this stage.

Group A winners Independiente will go up against the winner of the duel between Universidad de Chile and Guaraní. 

Godoy Cruz, who finished top of Group D, will match up against either Atlético Bucaramanga or 2024 Copa Libertadores runners-up Atlético Mineiro.

Torneo Apertura 2025 runners-up Huracán have an easier ask. After finishing top of Group C, they will face the winner of the clash between Colombia’s Once Caldas and Copa Libertadores surprise team San Antonio Bulo Bulo from Bolivia.

The playoffs will be played in mid July, while the round of 16 is scheduled to go ahead in August.