CA River Plate - Rosario Central live - Football

River Plate take on Rosario Central on Sunday, 2 August 2026 at 22:15 UTC at the Estadio Más Monumental in Buenos Aires, in Matchday 3 of the Clausura 2026. The Millonarios head into this clash under serious pressure after losing their first two Clausura matches without scoring, while Rosario Central - one point from two league games - are also looking ahead to a Copa Libertadores Round of 16 tie against Corinthians. In the all-time head-to-head record, River Plate lead convincingly with 19 wins from 41 meetings against Rosario Central's 8.

Match Info: CA River Plate vs CA Rosario Central

The match between River Plate and Rosario Central kicks off on Sunday, 2 August 2026 at 22:15 UTC - in London that is 23:15 local time. The venue is the Estadio Más Monumental in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the game is part of Matchday 3 of the Liga Profesional de Fútbol - Clausura 2026.

Where to Watch CA River Plate vs CA Rosario Central?

Viewers in England and Ireland can watch the match live on Premier Sports Player online or on Premier Sports 2 on television. Both platforms are the dedicated destinations for Argentine football coverage in the British Isles, ensuring full access to this high-stakes Clausura fixture.

In Argentina, the game is available on Disney+ via streaming and on ESPN Premium on TV. Fans across Latin America - including in Chile, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela - can all catch the action on Disney+. Puerto Rico and the United States have access through VIX, with US viewers also able to stream via Fanatiz USA.

Supporters in Switzerland can tune in through Blue Sport online or sportdigital FUSSBALL on TV, while Germany and Austria have sportdigital FUSSBALL. Portugal has Sport TV Multiscreen for streaming and Sport TV1 on television. Spain is covered by Movistar+, Movistar Liga de Campeones, and Vamos. Fans anywhere else in the world can follow the action through AFA Play's global stream.

Match between CA River Plate and CA Rosario Central - Preview

River Plate desperately need a home win after collecting zero points from their opening two Clausura matches, making this clash with Rosario Central one of the most pressure-laden fixtures Eduardo Coudet has faced since taking charge at the Monumental.

The depth of River's current crisis is striking. Before the Clausura even began, they crashed out of the Copa Argentina, losing 1:3 to Aldosivi on 18 July. Their league campaign then opened with a 0:1 defeat at home to Barracas Central on 26 July - a result that shocked their own supporters - followed by another 0:1 loss away to Gimnasia La Plata on 29 July, where a second-half header from Alexis Steimbach settled matters. Three successive defeats, no goals scored in the league, and growing fan impatience paint a bleak picture. History, at least, favours the hosts: at the Estadio Más Monumental, River have won 15 of 25 all-time meetings with the Canalla and lost only 3.

Rosario Central come to Buenos Aires with their own set of concerns: 1 point from 2 Clausura matches and a blockbuster Copa Libertadores Round of 16 against Corinthians looming - first leg between 11 and 13 August in Argentina, second leg between 18 and 20 August in Brazil. Coach Jorge Almirón must balance Clausura ambitions with the need to keep his squad fresh for continental football, adding a complex tactical dimension to every squad decision he makes this week.

Head-to-Head: CA River Plate vs CA Rosario Central

The rivalry between River Plate and Rosario Central is one of the most consistent fixtures in Argentine football, spanning decades across the Liga Profesional and cup competitions. River's dominance at the Monumental - 15 wins, 7 draws, and only 3 defeats from 25 home encounters - makes them strong favourites on home turf, though their current form has unsettled that narrative considerably.

The six most recent meetings between the sides:

• 17 May 2026 - Liga Profesional - River Plate 1:0 Rosario Central
• 2 February 2026 - Liga Profesional - Rosario Central 0:0 River Plate
• 6 October 2025 - Liga Profesional - Rosario Central 2:1 River Plate
• 30 March 2025 - Liga Profesional - River Plate 2:2 Rosario Central
• 9 December 2024 - Liga Profesional - River Plate 4:0 Rosario Central
• 8 April 2024 - Copa de la Liga Profesional - River Plate 2:1 Rosario Central

CA River Plate - Recent Form

River Plate have endured a sharp decline in form, losing all 3 of their last 3 competitive matches and failing to score a single goal in either Clausura fixture - a deeply alarming run for a club of their stature.

The slide began on 18 July when River were beaten 1:3 by Aldosivi in the Copa Argentina, ending their cup campaign before the Clausura started. Matchday 1 brought a painful 0:1 home defeat against Barracas Central on 26 July, before Gimnasia La Plata added to the misery with a 1:0 win in La Plata on 29 July. Prior to this run, River showed better form: a 3:0 Copa Sudamericana win over Blooming on 28 May and a 2:2 draw with Flamengo in an international friendly in early July underlined their quality on better days. The return of the Monumental crowd, and the urgency of a must-win atmosphere, could be the catalyst Coudet's side needs to revive their season.

CA Rosario Central - Recent Form

Rosario Central have gone 4 competitive matches without a win, collecting just 1 point from their last 5 outings - a run that spans three different competitions and underlines the work Almirón still has ahead before the Copa Libertadores knockout rounds.

In the Clausura so far, Rosario Central suffered a 1:2 defeat away to champions Belgrano in Córdoba on 23 July, then drew 0:0 at home against Racing Club on 29 July. Before the domestic campaign resumed, the club had been knocked out of the Copa Argentina by Estudiantes La Plata (0:3, 31 May) and were eliminated from the Copa Libertadores group phase following a 1:0 defeat at Independiente del Valle on 27 May. A brighter note came when Central hammered Universidad Central Venezuela 4:0 in a Copa Libertadores group match to secure their place in the last 16. Despite mixed form, the Canalla are in the knockout phase of South America's most prestigious club competition, with Corinthians waiting just around the corner.

Facts and Statistics

River Plate and Rosario Central have shared one of Argentine football's most enduring rivalries, with 41 all-time meetings across the Liga Profesional and cup competitions. River's consistent superiority in this fixture, combined with Rosario Central's periodic ability to spring surprises, ensures every encounter carries genuine significance.

• River Plate lead the all-time head-to-head record with 19 wins, 14 draws, and 8 losses from 41 meetings.
• At the Estadio Más Monumental, River have won 15 of 25 encounters with Rosario Central as hosts, losing just 3 times at home.
• River's record 4:0 win over Rosario Central in December 2024 remains the biggest victory in recent head-to-head history between the two sides.
• Rosario Central are one of Argentina's representatives in the Copa Libertadores 2026 Round of 16, facing Corinthians of Brazil just days after this fixture.
• River Plate have scored 0 goals and conceded 2 in their first 2 Liga Profesional Clausura 2026 matches - their worst start to a Clausura tournament in recent seasons.