Estudiantes de La Plata - CA Independiente live - Football

On Sunday, 26 July 2026, at 21:15 BST, Estudiantes de La Plata host CA Independiente in the opening round of the 2026 Torneo Clausura at the Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi in La Plata, Argentina. Estudiantes enter the new season as zone leaders from the Apertura and Copa Libertadores group-stage qualifiers, while Independiente arrive having reached the last 16 of the Copa Argentina. In their last 5 head-to-head meetings, Independiente hold a slight edge with 2 wins against 2 draws and 1 defeat, making this an enticing curtain-raiser to the second half of Argentina's 2026 league season.

Match Info: Estudiantes de La Plata vs CA Independiente

Estudiantes de La Plata take on CA Independiente on Sunday, 26 July 2026, at 21:15 BST (20:15 UTC) at the Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi in La Plata, Argentina. The fixture is Matchday 1 of the 2026 Torneo Clausura Mercado Libre, the second phase of Argentina's Liga Profesional de Fútbol.

Where to Watch Estudiantes de La Plata vs CA Independiente?

Viewers in Argentina can watch the match live on TNT Sports (TV) or stream it on HBO Max. Fans worldwide also have access via AFA Play, the official streaming platform of the Argentine Football Association.

Across Latin America, including Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Uruguay and Venezuela, the match is available to stream on Disney+. Brazilian viewers additionally have the option of catching it on ESPN3.

In the United States, the clash is available on VIX and Fanatiz USA, while Puerto Rican viewers can tune in on VIX.

Match between Estudiantes de La Plata and CA Independiente - Preview

This fixture kicks off the 2026 Torneo Clausura and serves as an immediate test for both sides - a strong start in Matchday 1 can set the tempo for the months ahead in Argentina's fiercely competitive second phase.

Estudiantes de La Plata enter the Clausura with considerable momentum. Under manager Alexander Medina, the club finished as zone leaders of the 2026 Torneo Apertura with 31 points and also navigated the Copa Libertadores group stage, advancing as runners-up behind Flamengo after a dramatic 90th-minute win over Independiente Medellín (1-0). That run of results underlines the quality and depth of a squad with genuine title aspirations.

CA Independiente arrive in La Plata looking to make an immediate impact in the Clausura. The Avellaneda club secured a Copa Argentina last-16 berth in May 2026 with a composed 2-0 win over Unión Santa Fe. In the Apertura, Independiente showed they are capable of beating quality opponents - defeating San Lorenzo 2-1 away and thrashing Defensa y Justicia 3-1 at home - but inconsistency in away matches, particularly a 0-2 defeat at Deportivo Riestra, is something coach will look to address.

Head-to-Head: Estudiantes de La Plata vs CA Independiente

Recent head-to-head history slightly favours Independiente, who have won 2 of the last 5 meetings while Estudiantes have won just once - but a pair of draws and closely contested scorelines show this rivalry rarely produces a comfortable winner.

The last 5 meetings between the two clubs:

• 23 January 2026 - Liga Profesional Argentina - Independiente 1-1 Estudiantes de La Plata
• 11 August 2024 - Liga Profesional Argentina - Estudiantes de La Plata 0-2 CA Independiente
• 9 September 2023 - Copa Argentina - Independiente 1-1 Estudiantes de La Plata
• 9 April 2023 - Liga Profesional Argentina - Independiente 1-2 Estudiantes de La Plata
• 21 June 2022 - Liga Profesional Argentina - Independiente 2-1 Estudiantes de La Plata

Estudiantes de La Plata - Recent Form

Estudiantes de La Plata head into the Clausura with 2 wins and 2 defeats from their last 4 completed matches, showing both their quality and the occasional vulnerability that has kept their record balanced.

Their most important result of the spring was a 1-0 win over Independiente Medellín in the Copa Libertadores group stage - a last-gasp goal that secured qualification in second place behind Flamengo. That came just days after a 1-0 loss away to the Brazilian giants. In the Copa Argentina, Estudiantes demolished Rosario Central 3-0, a dominant performance that highlighted their attacking depth.

In the Apertura league phase, a 0-1 home defeat to Racing Club was a rare stumble. On the wider horizon, the Supercopa Argentina final against Independiente Rivadavia - scheduled for 21 July - was suspended by the AFA. Estudiantes now turn their full focus to making a winning start to the Clausura in front of their home crowd at the Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi.

CA Independiente - Recent Form

CA Independiente arrive for this clash having won 3 of their last 5 matches across all competitions - a record that reflects a side capable of defeating strong opponents but still prone to defensive lapses away from home.

The highlight of Independiente's recent run was the Copa Argentina round-of-32 win over Unión Santa Fe - a clean, professional 2-0 away victory with goals from Santiago Montiel and Matías Gutiérrez. Before that, they had beaten San Lorenzo 2-1 away in the Apertura and won 3-1 at home against Defensa y Justicia, demonstrating sharp attacking football.

Yet two defeats in that same period - 2-0 at Deportivo Riestra and 1-3 at Rosario Central - exposed inconsistency in their defensive shape on the road. Visiting La Plata to face a Estudiantes side playing at the Hirschi in front of a packed crowd will be a significant challenge for Independiente's defensive unit from the very first round of the Clausura.

Facts and Statistics

Estudiantes de La Plata and CA Independiente are two of the most storied clubs in Argentine football, with a rivalry stretching back to the early 20th century. Whenever these two sides meet, the Argentine football public pays close attention.

• In the last 5 head-to-head matches, Independiente have won 2, drawn 2 and lost 1 against Estudiantes de La Plata.
• Estudiantes de La Plata finished as zone leaders of the 2026 Torneo Apertura with 31 points after 9 matchdays, demonstrating impressive consistency throughout the first half of the season.
• CA Independiente qualified for the 2026 Copa Argentina Round of 16 with a 2-0 win over Unión de Santa Fe in May 2026.
• The only league encounter between these sides in 2026 so far - Apertura Matchday 1, on 23 January - ended 1-1 at Estadio Presidente Perón in Avellaneda.
• Estudiantes de La Plata advanced from the 2026 Copa Libertadores group stage, finishing second in Group A behind Flamengo.