Club Atlético Patronato maintained its status in Argentina’s second tier after playing to a scoreless draw against Atlético de Rafaela at the Estadio Nuevo Monumental on Monday, November 2, 2026, for the 36th round of Zona B.
The Final-Minute Scare at Estadio Nuevo Monumental
Marcelo Fuentes’s side nearly squandered their survival bid in the dying moments of the match. Atlético Rafaela midfielder Juan Ignacio Cavallaro found space inside the area as regulation time expired and struck a clean shot that beat the defense only to rebound squarely off the goalpost. Had that attempt crossed the goal line, Patronato would have been forced into a relegation playoff against Nueva Chicago. Just two minutes after that near-miss, referee Luis Lobo Medina blew the final whistle, confirming the 0–0 scoreline and securing the visiting team’s place in the division.
Chacarita Juniors and the Villa Maipú Decider
While events unfolded in Rafaela, the decisive secondary battle played out miles away in Villa Maipú. Chacarita Juniors earned a 2–0 victory over Nueva Chicago courtesy of goals from Maximiliano Meléndez in the sixth minute of the second half and former Patronato player Nicolás Pantaleone five minutes later. That match stretched 13 minutes past regulation due to a medical emergency involving Gastón Lotito, assistant coach to the Nueva Chicago staff. The delay forced Patronato players and technical staff to monitor the closing moments from San Martín with intense anxiety before confirmation of the final result arrived from the Buenos Aires venue. The defeat sealed Nueva Chicago’s relegation, marking the team’s return to the third tier of the AFA after twelve seasons, with their previous participation in that division taking place in the 2014 edition.
"Patronato"Porque igualó sin goles ante Atlético Rafaela y mantuvo la categoría y seguirá jugando en la Primera Nacional. pic.twitter.com/St5PGH0HRr
Final Standings and Relegation Consequences
Patronato concluded the 36-match league calendar with 38 points, finishing just one point above Nueva Chicago, which ended on 37 units. Both sides had entered the final matchday level on 37 points, while Chacarita held 39. For Patronato, the point in Rafaela closes out a demanding league slate where defensive resilience on the final afternoon proved just enough to preserve second-tier football in Paraná.
Match Details and Squad Framework
Atlético Rafaela lined up at the Estadio Nuevo Monumental with Mayco Bergia in goal; a defensive block of Nahuel Cainelli, Ulises Yegros, Fernando Ponce, and Enzo Wuattier; Esteban Pepino, Facundo Soloa, Agustín Obando, and Leonardo Flores in midfield; and Joel Bonifacio alongside Lucas Albertengo in attack. Patronato navigated the afternoon utilizing second-half substitutions such as Santiago Piccioni, Augusto Picco, Tomás Attis, and Joaquín Barolín to absorb late pressure from the hosts before the referee signaled the end of the 2026 season.
"El palo de Dios"Porque Patronato se salvó en la última jugada del partido ante Atlético Rafaela. pic.twitter.com/Z1621ZMLiu
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