Aldosivi pulled off one of the 2026 Copa Argentina’s most striking upsets, beating River Plate 3-1 in Salta. The match, played at Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena on July 17, saw the Mar del Plata side capitalize on River Plate’s defensive lapses. Aldosivi took a commanding lead before the break and extended it in the second half. Salta Soy also reported the 3-1 win at the Martearena, where a full stadium watched the match.
River Plate entered the fixture as clear favorites, but Aldosivi’s disciplined approach and sharp finishing soon shifted the momentum. Tomás Fernández led the way, scoring twice in the first half, while Nicolás Cordero added a third after the interval. River Plate, managed by Eduardo Coudet, struggled to find rhythm and organization. Rafael Borré scored late, but River managed only to reduce the deficit.
The confirmed line-ups reflected both teams’ intent. Aldosivi started with Chicco in goal, backed by Laurelli, Zalazar, Moya, and Pombo in defense. González, Sosa, Castro, and Fernández formed the midfield, with Cordero and Godoy leading the attack. River Plate fielded S. Beltrán, G. González, Martínez Quarta, Rivero, and Acuña at the back, Moreno as a holding midfielder, and Vera, Galván, Meza, Colidio, and Borré in more advanced roles.
The result sent Aldosivi through to the round of 16, where they will face Independiente Rivadavia. TyC Sports broadcast the match live, and fans and media followed closely, including through Olé’s minute-by-minute coverage. Salta Soy’s coverage places the fixture among several Copa Argentina matches staged in Salta during 2026. The Martearena is also set to host a semifinal later in the tournament. The defeat adds to a run of high-profile surprises in Argentine football, echoing the unpredictable atmosphere of other major events. In the charged World Cup semifinal between England and Argentina, fan tensions and early incidents set the tone for a dramatic encounter (see more on the Atlanta semifinal atmosphere).
Copa Argentina’s neutral venues and single-elimination rounds often produce unexpected outcomes, giving underdogs a real chance against established giants. For River Plate, the loss in Salta exposes ongoing problems with defensive organization and consistency under Eduardo Coudet. Aldosivi secured progression and strengthened its reputation as a team able to capitalize on high-pressure opportunities. The next round against Independiente Rivadavia will test whether the side can maintain this level as the competition intensifies.
