And one day the Olympic Park was tri-colored. Green, white and blue colored this corner of the southern part of the city, and the absolute happiness that exploded in the plastic moved to the northern part. San Fernando is the sole owner of the Metropolitan Tournament. Because he celebrated in both branches. It was difficult because the euphoria only came in the penalty shootout, after beating two strong opponents. But this eternal joy is well deserved.
Once again in front of a very large number of people – 27,000 people attended the five days of the playoffs – the action began with the women’s and ended with the men’s. Half of the stands changed color between games. Because on the one hand the people of San Fernando always dominated and on the other the red of Italiano appeared first and then the light blue and white of Gimnasia y Esgrima. In terms of numbers, both parties were almost twins. Both games ended 1 to 1 and in the definition the women won 2 to 1 and the men won 3 to 2. But there were of course nuances.
Italiano and San Fernando faced each other at the time of greatest heat. But they played an exciting final full of emotions between two teams with very different histories and present. Juan Manuel Casas’ team faced the first final in its history with three crucial absences, as Zoe Díaz, Lara Casas and Sol Olalla are playing at the Junior World Championships in Chile and without them, as it was known in the preview, Italiano would have a significant gap in midfield forward. Rodrigo Saliva’s team, led by Leona Eugenia Trinchinetti, now has a lot of variants and experience.
In any case, San Fernando looked lukewarm at the start and their rivals seemed to score almost from the start, because in the first penalty corner, after 7 minutes, Sol Lombardo scored a great goal from the top right corner. It was the defender’s first goal of the tournament and the score was 1-0. Already in the second quarter, Italiano slowed down the pace of the game, which led to difficulties in San Fernando’s game. There was less danger in the areas, more friction and fights in the midfield and individual duels where the winners took turns. But no one stood out or could surpass the rival.
At the beginning of the third quarter, San Fernando added a problem to the one it already had with the result against the team: it lost its video referee after calling for an infringement by Férola in short defense. But after five minutes the loser’s defense was unfocused and Micaela Retegui, another experienced player for the champions, picked up the loose ball in the penalty area and scored the equalizer. The final third was pure play and nerves, but they couldn’t change the result and there were penalties.
Although Crevecouer made three saves, San Fernando, on the other hand, appealed to Pallottini and his greater experience to make the difference and reclaim the title they last won in 2023.
Gimnasia y Esgrima and San Fernando were the protagonists of the second final. The first wanted to achieve the title he last won in 2022; The runner-up was aiming for a double championship after being the best in the regular phase.
As soon as the game started, the first scream was heard, but everything ended in vain. Aguirregomezcorta scored for Agustín Lavagno’s side, but the move was canceled at the request of the video referee when the referees noticed an earlier infringement by Merlini when he stopped the ball at close range. He did it with his hand and breathed GEBA. But three minutes before the end of the first half, Ignacio Bergner’s team had a penalty and Tomás Suárez converted it into a goal by hitting the left post of Agustín Magdalena, who chose the other side. So, like with the girls, San Fernando had to row from behind again. And he did it.
But it cost him because his goalkeeper showed some great interventions and became the figure of the final, as he had done in the semi-final against Ciudad. GEBA was able to improve and secure the crown, but 13 minutes into the game, Matías Rey, the only active Olympic champion from Rio de Janeiro 2016, appeared on the already overcast afternoon at Villa Schlachti and assisted Mateo Magdalena, so that he deflected the ball with a subtle touch and equalized on the scoreboard. And then came an electrifying fourth and final quarter. Because when the penalties were decided, Binaghi fired a relentless iron shot that hurt the giant goalkeeper. There were only two seconds left until the end. It was the GEBA title and the frustration of San Fernando. However, after the video referee and after long minutes of image analysis, the referees came to the conclusion that the five-meter mark had not been respected in the right sector at the start of the game after the game had resumed due to an infringement. GEBA was pure rage; San Fernando breathed a sigh of relief.
With this enthusiasm they went into the penalty shootout and just like in 2024 against Banco Provincia in Belgrano, San Fernando had their hero between the posts. Agustín Magdalena shone again, he did a great job saving two penalties and was crucial in preventing Matías Rey from missing the last one, and his team celebrated. And San Fernando had its most anticipated double.
About The Author
