Nueva Chicago left the Estadio Tres de Febrero with all three points after a disciplined 1-0 win over Almagro in the Argentine Primera Nacional. A second-half strike from Ramiro Balbuena proved enough to settle a tight, tactical contest that was short on clear chances but high on tension. The result lifts Nueva Chicago into a more comfortable position in the league table, while Almagro are left to rue a night of near-misses in front of their own supporters.

Match Overview

• Competition: Argentine Primera Nacional
• Fixture: Almagro vs Nueva Chicago
• Date: September 28, 2026
• Venue: Estadio Tres de Febrero, Buenos Aires
• Final score: Almagro 0-1 Nueva Chicago

Key Moments

The first half was a cautious affair, with both sides prioritising defensive shape over attacking risk. Almagro saw more of the ball but struggled to break down a compact Nueva Chicago back line that sat deep and looked to spring counter-attacks through the wide areas. The game’s decisive moment arrived in the 67th minute when Balbuena latched onto a loose ball at the edge of the penalty area, took a touch to steady himself, and drove a low shot into the bottom corner.

Almagro responded with their best spell of the match, forcing two smart saves from the Nueva Chicago goalkeeper and sending a header narrowly over the crossbar from a late corner. However, the visitors stood firm, defending their box with real commitment and running down the clock intelligently in the final minutes.

Tactical Story

Almagro lined up with a 4-2-3-1 system and tried to build patiently through midfield, but they lacked the final pass to unlock a well-organised opponent. Nueva Chicago, by contrast, set up in a 4-4-2 block and were happy to concede possession in harmless areas. Their midfield duo screened the defence effectively, and the back four dealt comfortably with a series of crosses.

The winning goal came from a rare moment of transition. Nueva Chicago won the ball in midfield, moved it quickly to the right, and Balbuena arrived late in the box to finish. From there, the visitors dropped even deeper, inviting pressure but never truly looking like conceding. It was a classic away performance in the Primera Nacional: resilient, patient, and ruthlessly efficient when the one big chance arrived.

Standout Players

Balbuena will take the headlines for his match-winning goal, but the Nueva Chicago goalkeeper deserves huge credit for a string of saves in the closing stages. The centre-back pairing also produced a commanding display, winning everything in the air and making several important blocks. For Almagro, the left winger was their most dangerous outlet, repeatedly beating his man but finding no one on the end of his deliveries.

Season Impact

This victory gives Nueva Chicago a valuable boost in the Primera Nacional standings, strengthening their push for a playoff place. For Almagro, the defeat is a missed opportunity to climb the table, especially with the match played at home. The two clubs will meet again later in the season, and that reverse fixture already looks like it could carry significant weight in the race for promotion.