The last match of the Primera Nacional had a tense conclusion, with two teams forced to watch both their own result and what was happening on another field. In San Martín, Chacarita and Nueva Chicago faced off in a direct duel for survival that ended with a local celebration: the Funebrero won 2-0, secured their continuity in the category, and caused the relegation of their historic rival to the Primera B Metropolitana.
With the Villa Maipú stadium packed, the team led by Chacarita would come out determined to seek the three points and would take the lead for much of the first half. Facello would have one of the clearest opportunities with a shot that, after a rebound, would force Masuero to intervene to prevent his goal from being breached.
Although the locals would create the most dangerous situations, they would not manage to break the deadlock before halftime. Chicago, aware of what was at stake, would try to stay organized and take advantage of any mistakes from their opponent to get closer to the rival area.
However, the second half would quickly change the scenario. Despite the Torito showing more intensity in search of victory, Chacarita would find counterattack spaces and strike first six minutes in. Domínguez would reach the byline and send a pass to the penalty spot, where Maximiliano Meléndez would appear unmarked to push the ball in and establish the 1-0.
The goal gave confidence to the Funebrero, who just five minutes later would extend their lead. After a corner taken by Guanca from the left, Nicolás Pantaleone connected with a header that bounced off the ground and ended up next to the right post of the goalkeeper to make it 2-0, leaving Chicago on the ropes.
With a two-goal lead, the locals ceded ground and allowed their rivals to control the ball more, although they remained solid in defense and looked to exploit spaces to finish off the match. Tension returned when the game had to be interrupted due to a medical emergency involving a member of Chicago's coaching staff, which caused a prolonged delay.
The referee added 13 minutes, but the score did not change further. Thus, Chacarita achieved a victory to guarantee their permanence in the Primera Nacional and celebrated against one of their classic rivals, sending them to the third category of Argentine football.
The fall of the Mataderos team occurred alongside another key match in the fight to remain in the Primera B Nacional. Patronato, which also arrived at the decisive day with 37 points, drew 0-0 against Atlético de Rafaela and reached 38 points, enough to stay in the second division. The team from Entre Ríos, led by Marcelo Fuentes, did not have a good performance and struggled during several passages of the match, but managed to hold the draw they needed to achieve their goal.
In this way, the conclusion left Chacarita and Patronato with their permanence secured, while Nueva Chicago could not avoid relegation and will have to compete next season in the Primera B Metropolitana, something they had not done since 2014. For the Funebrero, moreover, the victory had a special taste: 14 years later, they once again triumphed in a conclusion that ended with their historic rival in the lower category.
