- Independiente Rivadavia Are One of the Breakout Teams of the 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores
- In their first-ever international campaign, the Mendoza side are making history and looking to extend their unforgettable run in the Round of 16.
Independiente Rivadavia are enjoying the greatest period in the club’s history. After winning the historic Copa Argentina title that secured their place in the 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores, ‘La Lepra Mendocina’ completed a memorable first half of the year: they finished top of the overall standings in Argentine football and ended the group stage as winners of Group C.
Alfredo Berti’s side were one of the standout teams of the opening stage. The coach, the chief architect of a team he guided to the top flight and to its first national title, led Independiente Rivadavia to a first-place finish ahead of Fluminense, Bolívar and Deportivo La Guaira. They went unbeaten, recorded the second-best overall campaign and were the tournament’s highest-scoring team with 15 goals.
Only Jhon Kennedy’s dramatic equaliser in the 91st minute of their Matchday 4 encounter prevented them from completing a perfect group-stage campaign. Along the way, they produced several memorable victories, including their historic triumph over ‘Flu’ at the Maracanã.
Independiente Rivadavia built their outstanding campaign on a stable and solid foundation, shaped around one of the club’s greatest strengths: their scouting department, which identified players such as Matías Fernández and Tomás Bottari in Argentina’s lower divisions.
Heading into the Round of 16, they face an intriguing challenge: replacing Colombian forward Sebastián Villa, their captain and leading figure, who returned to Boca Juniors. Much of their success will depend on a formidable attacking partnership, with Álex Arce establishing himself as one of the competition’s most clinical strikers and Fernández providing the creativity while wearing the No. 10 shirt.
At the other end of the pitch, Matías Bolcato has also excelled. After beginning 2025 as the fourth-choice goalkeeper in the squad, he has become the undisputed starter in 2026.
The Round of 16 has produced an immediate reunion with Fluminense, who finished second behind the Argentine side in the group. The tie will begin at Brazil’s iconic Maracanã and be decided on Mendoza soil.
There are no limits to the hopes of ‘Los Caudillos’, and Berti has made that clear in several interviews:
“In life, you have to dream big and always believe, because dreams are there to be fulfilled. I dream of winning the Copa Libertadores and also becoming champions of Argentine football. We have to compete on equal terms against everyone, because once you step onto the pitch, it is eleven against eleven.”
Independiente Rivadavia in the 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores: Results and Schedule
CONMEBOL Libertadores Group Stage — Group C
Matchday 1: Independiente Rivadavia 1-0 Bolívar
Goal: Carlos Lampe own goal (2')
Matchday 2: Fluminense 1-2 Independiente Rivadavia
Goals: Guilherme Arana (10') / Fabrizio Sartori (37') and Álex Arce (51')
Matchday 3: Independiente Rivadavia 4-1 Deportivo La Guaira
Goals: Álex Arce (27', 45+2' and 64') and Sebastián Villa (45') / Guillermo Ortiz (32')
Matchday 4: Independiente Rivadavia 1-1 Fluminense
Goals: Álex Arce (66') / John Kennedy (90+1')
Matchday 5: Deportivo La Guaira 2-4 Independiente Rivadavia
Goals: Diego Osío (28') and Deportivo La Guaira (79') / Álex Arce (19', 59' and 75') and Sebastián Villa (33')
Matchday 6: Bolívar 1-3 Independiente Rivadavia
Goals: Martín Cauteruccio (55') / Leonel Bucca (45+7'), Sebastián Villa (90+2') and Diego Crego (90+5')
CONMEBOL Libertadores Round of 16
First Leg: Tuesday, August 11, at 7:00 p.m.
Maracanã Stadium, Rio de Janeiro
Second Leg: Tuesday, August 18, at 7:00 p.m.
Malvinas Argentinas Stadium, Mendoza
Independiente Rivadavia Head Coach in the 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores: Alfredo Berti
He is an institution within the institution. Berti is currently in his second spell at the club. During his first, he laid the foundations for its present-day success: he rescued a team that appeared destined for relegation to the third tier of Argentine football and even gave its supporters reason to dream of promotion to the top flight.
Although he eventually left, his legacy remained firmly rooted at the club. After spells with Argentinos Juniors, Belgrano, Central Córdoba, Sportivo Luqueño and Barracas Central, he returned to Mendoza to make history: he guided the team to promotion to the top division, won its first national trophy by lifting the Copa Argentina, secured qualification for the CONMEBOL Libertadores and has now led Independiente Rivadavia into the Round of 16.
Independiente Rivadavia Squad for the 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores
Goalkeepers: 1. Nicolás Bolcato - 12. Ramiro Macagno - 21. Emmanuel Gómez - 41. Fernando Bravo - 59. Kevin Pagliaroli.
Defenders: 2. Leonard Costa - 3. Juan Elordi - 6. Santiago Cena - 13. Alejo Osella - 40. Iván Villalba - 42. Sheyko Studer - 51. Gabriel Maya - 67. Alexander Lucero - 68. Tiago Sosa.
Midfielders: 5. Tomás Bottari - 8. Leonel Bucca - 10. Matías Fernández - 11. Gonzalo Ríos - 19. Rodrigo Atencio - 25. José Florentín - 27. Diego Crego - 32. Kevin Vázquez - 34. Stefano Moreyra - 52. Sebastián Muñoz - 54. Tomás Arias - 57. Agustín Domínguez - 58. Benjamín Olivarez - 61. Sergio Ortiz - 62. Alex Aguado - 66. Julián Reyna - 77. Luis Sequeira.
Forwards: 7. Victorio Ramis - 9. Álex Arce - 14. Luciano Gómez - 20. Alessandro Riep - 23. Luis Díaz - 36. Ezequiel Bonifacio - 43. Fabrizio Sartori - 45. Luciano Sábato - 53. Jano Díaz - 55. Matías Salvo - 56. Tobías Ganduglia - 60. Lautaro Torres - 63. Axel Leiva - 64. Román Ruiz - 65. Agustín Rognoni.
Independiente Rivadavia’s Key Player in the 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores: Matías Fernández
A product of Quilmes’ youth academy, Fernández spent several years in Argentina’s lower divisions before finding the ideal stage for his talent at Independiente Rivadavia. The gifted attacking midfielder made his senior debut for Quilmes in 2019, later joined Villa San Carlos on loan and began to stand out with Excursionistas in 2023, when the club was competing in the fourth tier of Argentine football.
After playing a leading role in his team’s promotion campaign, Independiente Rivadavia’s scouting department decided to take a chance on him — and the move proved inspired. In little more than a year, he became the third key component of a devastating attack. Wearing the No. 10 shirt, Fernández is the creative engine that makes his team tick.
Independiente Rivadavia’s Top Scorer in the 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores: Álex Arce
The Paraguayan striker is the competition’s leading scorer and the main attacking figure for Independiente Rivadavia. His presence in the box, instinctive finishing and remarkable eye for goal have made him the tournament’s most prolific marksman.
After spending five years across different levels of Paraguayan football, Arce first joined Independiente Rivadavia in 2023 and played a decisive role in securing promotion to Argentina’s top flight. He scored 26 goals in 32 appearances and became an idol among the ‘Lepra’ supporters.
He then enjoyed a productive spell with Liga Deportiva Universitaria, where he faced the demanding task of replacing a club legend in Paolo Guerrero. Arce made a major impact both domestically and internationally, scoring 42 goals in 65 matches.
In the second half of 2025, he returned to Independiente Rivadavia to begin an unforgettable second chapter. His eight goals have been central to the club’s qualification for the Round of 16. Arce scored the winner against Fluminense at the Maracanã, registered a hat-trick against Deportivo La Guaira, opened the scoring in the draw with ‘Flu’ in Mendoza and added another three goals against La Guaira in Caracas.
Independiente Rivadavia’s X-Factor in the 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores: Sheyko Studer
The centre-back is one of Independiente Rivadavia’s unsung pillars and a key figure in Alfredo Berti’s system. Standing 1.92 metres tall, he excels in the air, steps forward aggressively to make interceptions and has the composure to defend far from his own goal. At just 23, he played all six matches in the group stage and displayed the authority of a far more experienced player.
A product of Talleres’ youth academy who also spent time with Everton de Viña del Mar, Studer joined ‘La Lepra’ in 2024, initially on loan. His performances quickly convinced the club to acquire a percentage of his rights and extend his contract until December 2028. In 2025, he played a leading role in the historic Copa Argentina triumph, the title that secured Independiente Rivadavia’s first-ever appearance in the CONMEBOL Libertadores.
In the continental competition, he formed a solid partnership with Leonard Costa and proved decisive in the most demanding matches. In the victory over Fluminense at the Maracanã, his ability to win duels and neutralise the Brazilian side’s attacks was crucial in protecting the lead. He again showed authority and personality against the same opponents in Mendoza.
Against a team with ‘Flu’s’ attacking power, Studer will be the X-factor tasked with keeping ‘La Lepra’s’ dream alive from the back.
Independiente Rivadavia’s History in the CONMEBOL Libertadores
Independiente Rivadavia are enjoying a historic campaign in the 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores. In their first-ever international appearance, ‘La Lepra’ from Mendoza came through a demanding group stage, recorded unforgettable away victories — including a 2-1 win over Fluminense at the Maracanã — and finished top of their section.
With Álex Arce as the competition’s leading scorer and Sebastián Villa as one of their main attacking figures, Alfredo Berti’s side have turned their continental debut into one of the tournament’s biggest success stories.
