Patronato led through Renzo Reynaga’s penalty before Tomás Rodríguez equalised for Nueva Chicago. The 1-1 draw in Mataderos left both teams close to the bottom.
The playoff will be played Sunday, September 27 at 11:00 at Villa Mitre’s stadium in Bahía Blanca, with both sets of supporters and penalties if 90 minutes end level.
The Lechero controlled much of the match but failed to convert its chances and lost 1-0 to Leandro Amado’s penalty, remaining second-bottom in Primera C Zone B.
Christian Meloni's side trained in Poland with tactical work, finishing exercises and small-sided football ahead of Wednesday's 10:00 match. Argentina reached the round of 16 for a second consecutive World Cup and will seek to extend their campaign against South Korea.
The Aurinegro lost 3-1 at Estadio San Martín despite taking the lead through Diego Sosa's penalty. Costa Brava overturned the match with goals from Ramón Lentini, Gutiérrez and López, and the Tandil club lost its Federal A status.
The qualifying stage mobilized 245 teams across eight regions with a schedule running from 9 to 15 September. The round combines completed results with several pending matches in the race for four Federal A promotions and twelve additional 2027 places.
Lionel Scaloni is under contract until the end of December and formal renewal talks have not yet begun. AFA remain optimistic, but the coach will assess whether he has the energy to lead Argentina through a major transition after the World Cup and Messi's departure.
Rubén Darío Insua was presented as San Lorenzo coach after Néstor Gorosito's departure. Beginning his third spell, he highlighted the recent win over Talleres and set playoff qualification as the target for the eight remaining rounds.
The possibility raised by vice-president Martín Lamarca did not materialize: Colegiales-Nueva Chicago will be played Saturday at 15:00 with home supporters only. Chicago arrive after beating Quilmes 1-0, ending five consecutive defeats and reaching 32 points.
San Martín de Tucumán, Sporting Club Victoria, Pedal Club, SOMRA and Ciudad de Olavarría took first-leg leads in the Women's Regional third round. Other ties finished level or still await confirmed dates.
Bahía Blanca beat Guatraché 2-1 and won the Pampeana Sur section of Copa País. San Nicolás and Paraná also advanced through emphatic victories while other regions prepare decisive September ties and finals.
San Martín de Burzaco host Deportivo Armenio on Saturday 5 September at 15:00 at the Francisco Boga. Four points separate them in Primera B: the home side have 40 and the visitors 44 before round 34.