Superclásico: How are Boca and River doing ahead of the biggest match in Argentine football

The biggest match in Argentine football is set to add another chapter to its history as Boca Juniors and River Plate match up once again this Sunday.  The classic duel, known as the Superclásico, goes back to 1908, and is the most heated rivalry in the country, with British football magazine FourFourTwo describing it as “the biggest derby in the world.” While winning the game is a motive of pride all of its own, with fans eager to take bragging rights over their rivals, stakes are also high in the context of the 2026 Torneo Apertura.  With both teams on the upward trend, a win could prove the definitive push forward or the first stumble for either team. So how are Boca and River playing ahead of the clash? Improvements and a key injury for Boca Damocles’ sword isn’t quite off from over Boca head coach Claudio Úbeda’s head, but the man known as the Sifón (Soda Fountain) is at a much better position than he was during a shaky start of the tournament. The Xeneize’s level of play has raised with the arrival of Qatar 2022-winner Leandro Paredes, plus Santiago Ascacíbar and Adam Bareiro in the middle of the park. Boca is undefeated since February, including two wins in the Copa Libertadores — against Chile’s Universidad Católica and Ecuador’s Barcelona — that sees it competing at a high level across both competitions. The Xeneize is now fourth in Group A of the Torneo Apertura, just four points off leaders Vélez Sarsfield. However, it got some bad news ahead of the key clash, as starting goalkeeper Agustín Marchesín had to be subbed off in the game against Barcelona on Tuesday. Less than 10 minutes into the game, the former Lanús man got his leg stuck in the grass and tore the anterior cruciate ligaments in his right knee. That means one of the substitute goalkeepers, likely 23-year-old Leandro Brey, will start in goal against River. Coudet puts River on the upward trend Much has changed around River Plate since the departure of historic head coach Marcelo Gallardo in February. New boss Eduardo Coudet has reinvigorated the team, which at one point looked unable to create goal-scoring chances, and has gotten better performances from the likes of striker Sebastián Driussi and defenders Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuña. Since then, the Millonario has shown flashes of good form but struggled to maintain that level of play at times. That was until its 2-0 dismantling of Racing away from home, which could prove to be a landmark win for the new head coach. With five wins in its last five games in the Torneo Apertura, River has shot up the table and now sits in second in Group B. Most importantly, it has kept four clean sheets in those five wins, the mark of a team that has upped its defensive effort. River will host Boca at the Monumental stadium, with the match starting at 5 p.m. Argentina time. In order to watch the game at home, you’ll need a cable TV subscription and the additional Pack Fútbol (costing AR$23,940, almost US$17 at the official rate) — which grants access to premium channels ESPN Premium and TNT Sports.