Italiano Knock Out Holders San Fernando on Sporting Advantage
The holders are out, and they didn’t even lose.
Italiano drew 2-2 with San Fernando in the women’s Metropolitano quarter-final on Saturday, and that was enough. Italiano finished fourth in the regular season, San Fernando were the quarter-finalists with no safety net, and the sporting advantage goes to the higher seed. A draw sends Italiano through. San Fernando’s defence of the double, won in 2025, ends at the first hurdle.
That’s the cruelty of the Metropolitano format, and it’s also what makes it great. San Fernando had to win. Italiano just had to not lose. And over one game at Parque Olímpico, that was enough.
Italiano now face Santa Bárbara in the semifinals on 14 November. Santa Bárbara finished first in the regular season and went straight through, so they’ll be rested and waiting. The other semifinal is Lomas, who finished second, against the winner of GEBA and Belgrano. That quarter-final was still being played at midnight PKT, with no score posted at the last check.
GEBA finished third, so they hold the same advantage Italiano just used: Belgrano have to win outright, GEBA just have to not lose. Lomas booked their direct semifinal spot by beating Olivos 1-0 in the last round of the regular season, while GEBA beat River 1-0 in the decisive game. San Lorenzo are relegated from the women’s top flight.
For our money, Italiano against Santa Bárbara is a fascinating semifinal. Santa Bárbara topped the table, but Italiano have just knocked out the holders, and sides that survive a quarter-final like that don’t fear anyone. The men’s quarter-finals follow on Sunday.