As big guns misfire, the Lepra just keep marching on

With just three rounds left of the Apertura league phase, a clear dominant force has emerged in Argentine football. This team has cut a swathe through its opponents both home and abroad, sitting pretty at the top of the standings with no real rival to speak of so far.

But who are these mysterious titans? Rejuvenated River? Boca, perhaps? One of the other grandes, or perhaps a team from the footballing hotbed of Rosario. Guess again. There is a new king in town, and it is none other than unassuming Independiente Rivadavia.

That's right. While Boca, Racing, River, Independiente and most of Argentina's other most laurelled teams have been up and down so far in 2026, the Lepra just keep marching on.

The Mendoza side downed Argentinos Juniors 3-1 on Saturday to record their fourth straight win in the Liga Profesional de Fútbol. The Bicho have been no slouches themselves so far this year, but they were played off the park (the beautiful Parque San Martín, to be more precise) in a dominant display by the hosts. Most impressively, the goals are coming from all over the pitch: defenders Juan Manuel Elordi and Alejo Osella both scored, with midfielder Leonel Bucca completing the rout.

That game was followed by arguably the biggest night in club history. On Wednesday Independiente's fans, who just three years ago were watching their heroes play the likes of Atlanta, Chaco For Ever and Tristán Suárez in the Primera Nacional, made the long trip up to Río de Janeiro to take on Fluminense. 

Incredibly, the fairytale continued. Down by a goal early on, the team fought back for a famous Maracanazo win via Fabrizio Sartori and Alex Arca's strikes. With a 100% record so far in their first-ever Libertadores campaign, the Lepra faithful are on cloud nine.

As, no doubt, is their redoubtable coach. When Alfredo Berti took over at Independiente Rivadavia in April 2023 it looked like just another stop in a journeyman career at the bench for the ex-Newell's and Boca midfielder, who had acted as an assistant to Marcelo Bielsa with Chile and had held eight different jobs in 10 years, none of which with any particular distinction.

Berti, however, had found his place in the football world. Under his watch Independiente clinched promotion that same year and in 2025 took the Lepra to the Copa Argentina title, beating River in the semis on penalties before another shootout settled the final against Argentinos. This year they sit top of Group B and indeed the entire Liga Profesional with nine wins and just two defeats in their thirteen games so far.

This isn't strictly a rags to riches tale. Club President Daniel Vila is one of Argentina's wealthiest individuals thanks to his vast media empire and an erstwhile challenger to the AFA leadership back in the days of Grondona. Independiente's rise in fortunes has coincided with their supremo's warm relationship with Claudio Tapia and Pablo Toviggino, the two current powerbrokers at Viamonte; indeed, Vila was one of the most strenuous defenders of the strike action carried out in March in response to the legal issues the pair are facing.

Vila's wealth has clearly been useful in keeping this side together, one of the major threats whenever one of Argentina's less heralded teams starts making waves. But it does not explain Independiente's sudden emergence as a contender not just in Argentina, but on Wednesday's evidence the top level of continental football. 

They may head back to earth at some point, but the Lepra can enjoy this moment to the full as they continue to shock with this incredible run of success.