Estudiantes de La Plata celebrated their 14th championship title on Saturday night at the Madre de Ciudades stadium, defeating Vélez Sarsfield with a convincing score of 3-0 to claim the Trofeo de Campeones. With this victory, Estudiantes has secured their place for the Supercopa Internacional 2025, where they will face Vélez yet again.
The Trofeo de Campeones match saw Estudiantes showcase their skills with goals from Tomás Marchiori, who scored an own goal, Alexis Manyoma, and Guido Carrillo. Carving out their path to victory, Estudiantes effectively nullified Vélez's opportunities and strengthened their position as one of the top teams moving forward. This scoreline proved to be especially significant as it marked the second consecutive time Vélez failed to secure another title against Estudiantes, following their previous encounter this year.
The upcoming Supercopa Internacional pits the champion of the Trofeo de Campeones against the team ranked highest on the annual league table, adding stakes to this already intense rivalry. While Estudiantes earned their title from the Trofeo, Vélez had already secured their spot by finishing at the top of the annual standings throughout the Liga Profesional and Copa de la Liga tournaments. The match not only offers another opportunity for competition but also serves as a reminder of the growing rivalry between these two football clubs.
Interestingly, this is not the first time such clashes have occurred. The inaugural Supercopa Internacional took place earlier this year, where Racing Club triumphed over Boca Juniors 2-1. The contest is set for another exciting rematch, even though the due match for River Plate and Talleres is still pending. River Plate, by winning the Trofeo, also shows why they are dominant contenders, but for now, the spotlight is on Estudiantes and Vélez.
Details like the date and venue for the Supercopa Internacional 2025 have yet to be confirmed by the AFA. Nonetheless, it is tentatively scheduled for February 19, and the anticipation is already brewing within the fanbases. Various candidates for stadiums have been mentioned, but fans will need to wait for official confirmation.
Adding to the drama of the situation, Estudiantes must now prepare for the Supercopa without one of their key players. Enzo Pérez, who has had three stints with the club, announced his departure immediately following the triumph over Vélez. "My decision is not to renew. Today was my last match with this shirt. I want to thank the people, they know how much I love them," Pérez expressed emotionally after the game.
This news follows Pérez's significant contributions to the club; his leadership both on and off the pitch made him one of the standout players during the Trofeo campaign. The feelings of farewell quickly turned to focus on how Estudiantes will adjust to his absence, especially heading toward another monumental match against Vélez.
For the fans of Estudiantes, this victory against Vélez not only solidifies their strength and talent as they step onto the field for the Supercopa Internacional but also serves as a bittersweet reminder of the departures within their ranks. Meanwhile, for Vélez, the motivation to regain their standing against their rivals has never been higher. With both teams bringing their A-game to the upcoming match, the 2025 Supercopa Internacional looks to be yet another thrilling battle between these two rival clubs.
