Belgrano de Córdoba secured the first top division title of its history on Sunday by beating River Plate 3-2 in the final of the 2026 Torneo Apertura, the season’s first domestic title decider.
The game was a rollercoaster ride of emotions for both teams, with a nerve-breaking finale where Belgrano scored two goals during the last minutes, turning round a 1-2 lose into a 3-2 win.
The Cordoba team came out determined from the start and pressed high, with Lucas Zelarayán as the driving force in attack, but River found some breathing room in the 17th minute through a combination between Tomás Galván and Facundo Colidio: Galván broke down the left flank, got past Rigoni—who overcommitted—and crossed for Colidio to tap in unmarked in front of Thiago Cardozo’s goal. It was 1-0 for the Millonario.
The lead lasted barely eight minutes. In the 25th minute, Zelarayán delivered a corner from the left and Leonardo Morales rose highest at the near post and headed home with no chance for Beltrán. The 1-1 restored balance to the match.
Fourteen minutes into the second half, Colidio drove through the middle, drew defenders, and slipped the ball to Galván, who carried it forward and finished across goal with his left foot to make it 2-1. River Plate was back in front and seemed to be managing the result on their way to the title.
