With just two games left in the 2025 Torneo Apertura league phase, Liga Profesional teams are preparing for the second half of the tournament, with an eye on the title. But how is the second phase played? Who can qualify for it? And who are the strongest candidates to be Argentine football champions?

The 2025 Liga Profesional — the top division in Argentine football — was split into two tournaments: the Torneo Apertura from January to June, and the Torneo Clausura from July to December. 

Both tournaments see the 30 teams split into two 15-team groups. Each one faces its group rivals once, with two additional games outside their pool — a derby game against their traditional rival and another decided by a draw. In both tournaments, the top eight teams of each group  at the end of the league phase qualify for the play-offs. 

The play-offs determine each tournament’s champion. The round of 16, quarterfinals and semifinals are all played as a single-game at........

© Buenos Aires Herald