Traditionally, when a team with nine fewer goals managed to put up a fight against a favorite, that alone was reason to celebrate. Both sides would leave satisfied: one with a victory, the other proud of a dignified performance. However, in this unpredictable Palermo, the fact that the young Indios Chapaleufú squad was just two goals behind reigning champion La Natividad with seconds left in the seventh chukker left both teams with a bittersweet taste. After pulling off a shocking upset against La Hache, the historic Heguy-backed club entered the match confident they had the skills to deliver another blow and secure a spot in the final. They didn’t fall far short. In the end, the class of the 40-goal team prevailed, with flashes of brilliance and a composed finish sealing the deal.
The 15-10 victory secures La Natividad a place in the zone decider, where they’ll face La Hache next Friday in a winner-takes-all match. Even though Hilario Ulloa’s team enters with a prior loss, a tie in points will be resolved by the head-to-head winner. Meanwhile, Indios Chapaleufú, having lost their opener to Cría La Hache, now tallies two defeats and is out of contention.
Since winning the Hurlingham Open—the first leg of the Triple Crown—La Natividad’s performance has dipped. They missed the final at Tortugas and have struggled to find their rhythm in this 131st Argentine Open. Yesterday, their moments of brilliance were few and far between. Occasionally, the team seemed poised to dominate, with Bartolomé Castagnola delivering long shots and his brother Camilo’s trademark runs, supported by an efficient outing from Facundo Pieres. Gradually, they stretched their lead, pulling ahead 10-5 early in the fifth chukker.
Yet, what will linger in the minds of the spectators who filled the grandstands at the Campo Argentino de Polo was the spirited comeback by the young Indios Chapaleufú players. Led by back Teodoro Lacau, who anchored the team throughout, and Cruz Heguy, who surged in the second half with relentless determination and a commitment to playing open, quality polo, they clawed their way back into contention. Those who came to watch the Castagnola brothers and company were rewarded only in sporadic moments, but as a bonus, they got to witness a fantastic performance by the underdog and a match that stayed suspenseful until nearly the end. At this stage of the Open, where excitement often doesn’t ramp up until the semifinals, this was no small feat.
On the Dorrego side, where entry was free, fans of both teams added an electric atmosphere to the game. The boisterous cheers from Chapaleufú’s supporters harked back to the golden era when their ancestors thrilled specialized audiences and drew new fans to the sport. While comparisons are inevitable, and today’s team remains far from the legendary original lineup, this iteration of Indios Chapaleufú stays true to its essence: open play and leaving everything on the field.
“I’m proud of the team and my incredible teammates,” said Lacau, the match’s standout player. “We came here dreaming of making the final. We went toe-to-toe with a 40-goal team. If you don’t come out with that mindset, you risk getting blown out. We knew we were up against a stronger side, and unfortunately, we fell short in the crucial moments, like the missed goal near the end of the seventh chukker.”
Lacau was referring to a missed chance that could have brought his team within one goal. Instead, a counterattack ended with him conceding a careless foul to Facundo Pieres, who nailed the 60-yard penalty just before the final bell (13-10). Early in the final chukker, Chapaleufú appeared to have earned another foul that could have tightened the score again, but the referees ruled otherwise. The play ended in yet another penalty—this time from 30 yards—and Facundo sealed the match.