Nueva Chicago — Patronato: 1:1, Primera Nacional

Nuova Chicago and Patronato played out a 1:1 draw in the Regular Season of the Primera Nacional on 21 September 2026. It was the 30th round of the Argentine second tier, and the result left both sides in the bottom half of the table. We had tipped a home win with 43 per cent confidence, but the match took a different turn. The visitors opened the scoring at the 29th minute when R. Reynaga converted a penalty, and here's the thing — the home side had already seen B. Palazzo booked just before that moment. By then the nerves were showing, and Nuova Chicago pushed for an equaliser without quite finding the rhythm they wanted. A substitution at the break brought R. Balbuena on for Palazzo, and the home side gradually took control. It was E. Cardozo who made the next change at 54 minutes, and five minutes later T. Rodriguez finally broke through to level things at 1:1. The goal came from open play, something the home side had been searching for since that early penalty. After the equaliser the game settled into a cautious pattern. W. Rueda picked up a yellow card at 67 minutes, and F. Masuero followed at 77, so the officials had work to do. Both managers turned to their substitutes, with R. Reynaga coming off at 79 minutes and V. L. Pereyra arriving for the home side at 90. New Chicago held 57 per cent possession and generated 93 attacks compared to Patronato's 84, but the shot tally tells a different story. The hosts managed just two shots on target while the visitors had one, yet neither side could find a winner. It was a match decided by moments rather than dominance. The result keeps Nuova Chicago in 15th place on 33 points and leaves Patronato in 16th on 31. Both sides have played 30 games, and this draw extended Patronato's run of draws — they now have 16 after two consecutive goalless results. The home side's recent form has been mixed, with losses to Cololegial, Midland, San Martín and Atlanta in the last five outings. For us, the lesson is straightforward. The home side had the possession and the attacks, but Patronato made their chances count. When you concede early, you have to respond, and Nuova Chicago found themselves chasing the game rather than controlling it. That's the reality of football, and it's the reality of this result.