Rosario Central begins its Copa Argentina journey this Wednesday, facing Sportivo Belgrano of San Francisco at at 7:00 PM local time in the Estadio 15 de Abril in Unión de Santa Fe. The match presents an opportunity for El Canalla to establish dominance and dispel recent uncertainties.
The contest could mark the Copa Argentina debut of world champion Ángel Di María, who rejoined the club after the competition had already begun. It will likewise be the first match in charge for recent manager Jorge Almirón, brought in with a mandate to excel in head-to-head competitions – a key reason for the departure of previous manager Ariel Holan.
Rosario Central, a past Copa Argentina champion in 2018, comes into the match following a 1-1 draw against Aldosivi. Despite their championship pedigree, the club has experienced inconsistency in the competition, having been eliminated in four of the ten tiebreakers they’ve contested since the competition’s revival. They’ve struggled to advance past the Round of 16 in recent years.
Sportivo Belgrano, representing Córdoba in the Torneo Federal A, aims to reach the Round of 16 for the first time in 13 years. They present a significant unknown, with their last official match taking place on , a 1-0 victory over Guillermo Brown de Puerto Madryn.
The Córdoba-based club has undergone a substantial roster overhaul, adding 13 new players for the 2026 season. Their strategy centers on building a compact, resilient team focused on quick transitions and clinical finishing.
Although Rosario Central enjoyed a period of success in the Copa Argentina from 2014-2015, reaching two finals and winning the title in 2018, their recent form has been erratic. They’ve only progressed past the qualifying stages in four of the last ten attempts, failing to reach the Round of 16 on several occasions.
The winner of Wednesday’s match will advance to face Estudiantes de La Plata in the next round.
Probable Starting Lineups
Rosario Central: Jorge Broun; Coronel or Gimenez, Mallo, Ávila or Obando, Sández or Soto; Ibarra and Pizarro; Duarte, Di María and Copetti; Véliz. Manager: Jorge Almirón.
Sportivo Belgrano: Pedro Bravo; Lucas Alessi, Jonathan Paíz, Juan Carballo and Joaquín Vidal; Mariano Sagristani, Pedro Contreras, Mateo Peralta and Máximo Forlin; Juan Ignacio Aróstegui and Germán Lessman. Manager: Sergio Maza
Match Details
Referee: Leandro Rey Hilfer
Assistant 1: Adrián Delbarba
Assistant 2: Iván Aliende
Fourth Official: Alejandro Porticella
The match represents a significant contrast in competitive levels. Rosario Central, a mainstay of Argentine Primera División, will be heavily favored against Sportivo Belgrano, a team striving for promotion from the regionalized Federal A tournament. However, cup competitions are often unpredictable and Sportivo Belgrano will undoubtedly view this as a prime opportunity to make a statement.
For Rosario Central, the Copa Argentina offers a valuable opportunity to build momentum ahead of their Copa Libertadores campaign. A strong showing in this competition could provide a much-needed boost in confidence and help them navigate a demanding schedule that includes league play and continental competition. The arrival of Ángel Di María adds a layer of excitement and expectation, and his performance will be closely scrutinized as he integrates into the team.
The absence of VAR for this match adds another layer of intrigue. Decisions made by the on-field officials will carry greater weight, potentially influencing the outcome of the game. This could favor a more physical, direct style of play, as teams may be less hesitant to challenge for possession and commit to tackles.
