Metropolitano Semifinals Are Set: Lomas v GEBA, Santa Bárbara v Italiano, Then the Men’s Heavyweights
The Metropolitano has done its sorting. Four teams are left in each competition, and the semifinals land this weekend at Parque Olímpico.
Saturday belongs to the women. Sunday belongs to the men. And by Saturday 21 November, Buenos Aires will have two new champions, or one very familiar one.
Saturday 14 November — women
Lomas v GEBA, 1:30pm ART (9:30pm PKT)
Santa Bárbara v Italiano, 4:00pm ART (12:00am PKT Sunday)
Santa Bárbara finished top of the regular season, and they have earned the easier-looking path on paper. But Italiano are the story of this postseason. They knocked out the holders San Fernando in the quarter-finals, drawing 2-2 and going through on sporting advantage, and a side that has already ended one defence will not be scared of another big name.
Lomas finished second, and they get GEBA, who squeezed past Belgrano 1-0 in the quarter-finals. GEBA only had to avoid defeat to go through, and one goal was enough. That is the cruelty of this format, and it is also what makes it great.
Sunday 15 November — men
Banco Provincia v Mitre, 1:30pm ART (9:30pm PKT)
San Fernando v GEBA, 4:00pm ART (12:00am PKT Monday)
San Fernando finished top of the regular season, seven points clear of Banco Provincia, and both went straight to the semifinals. Now the champions get GEBA, who won the clásico against Ciudad 2-1 in the quarter-finals. GEBA finished fifth, knocked out the fourth seeds, and arrive with nothing to lose. That is a dangerous combination.
Banco Provincia, meanwhile, face Mitre, who drew 2-2 with Ducilo in the quarter-finals and went through on sporting advantage, the same rule that sent Italiano through in the women’s draw. Ducilo had to win outright. A draw was never going to be enough.
The finals
Saturday 21 November, also at Parque Olímpico. The women’s final is at 1:45pm ART (9:45pm PKT) and the men’s at 4:45pm ART (12:45am PKT Sunday).
San Fernando are chasing the double after winning both the men’s and women’s titles in 2025, but their women’s defence is already over. The men carry that hope now, and they will start as favourites. For our money, though, the GEBA tie is the one to watch. A side that has just won a clásico in a quarter-final does not walk into a semifinal thinking about losing.
Every playoff game is at Parque Olímpico and on Disney+ Premium and ESPN.
