Argentine Primera División Opener: Unión Santa Fe Hosts CA Platense in Season Kick-off
The 2026 Liga Profesional de Fútbol season kicks off with Unión Santa Fe hosting CA Platense. Both teams are eager to start their campaign with a win, setting a positive tone for the Apertura tournament. Platense enters the match on a challenging run of form, while Unión Santa Fe aims to capitalize on home advantage.
Match Background & Qualification Scenarios
This match marks the opening of the 2026 Liga Profesional de Fútbol season, kicking off the Torneo Apertura. The 2026 league format features 30 teams competing in two tournaments, Apertura and Clausura, divided into two groups of 15. Teams will play a single round-robin format, along with inter-zone matches, with the top eight from each group advancing to the Round of 16. The winners of both the Apertura and Clausura tournaments will secure qualification for the 2027 Copa Libertadores, while other international competition spots and relegation are determined by an aggregate table and coefficients. CA Platense previously won the 2025 Apertura, highlighting their capabilities. For both Unión Santa Fe and CA Platense, securing a victory in this opening fixture is crucial to build early momentum in the new campaign.
Recent Form
As this is the inaugural match of the 2026 season, recent form largely reflects the teams' performances at the end of the 2025 season and pre-season friendlies. Unión Santa Fe concluded their 2025 campaign with a decent run in their last five official league matches, recording two wins, two draws, and one loss. Their recent pre-season fixtures, including a 1-1 draw against Defensor Sporting and a 2-1 victory over Alianza Lima, also suggest competitive preparation. In contrast, CA Platense endured a challenging end to 2025, managing only one draw and suffering four defeats in their last five official matches, including a loss in the Trofeo de Campeones. They also lost a pre-season friendly to Aldosivi by a score of 1-2.
Key Players & Injury News
Unión Santa Fe is led by coach Leonardo Madelón. The team is currently dealing with injuries to key midfielder Enzo Roldán (meniscus damage) and defender Bruno Pittón (cruciate ligament tear), with Pittón's return expected in early 2026, though his availability for this specific match is uncertain. CA Platense is managed by Walter Zunino. The club has seen changes in its squad, with their 2025 top scorer, Ronaldo Martínez, moving to Talleres, but welcoming Rodrigo Márquez on loan. Key players featured in their pre-season lineup included Sumavil, Saborío, Nacho Vázquez, and Gauto. Injury concerns for Platense include Ignacio Schor (eye injury) and M. Goñi (muscle injury). F. Zapiola, despite being listed as injured in some reports, was recently seen in a pre-season lineup, suggesting his injury might be minor or he has recovered.