Argentino de Merlo defeated Excursionistas 3-1 in the first leg of key 2 in Primera División B, played at Estadio Excursionistas in Buenos Aires. The visitors' goals came from Lucas Scarnato, Víctor López, and Lucas Delgado, with Juan Pablo Zárate scoring for the hosts. Merlo's team played with one man down after Juan Manuel Sánchez de León's ejection in the second half.
The match took place on November 21, 2025, at 20:05 Argentina time, broadcast live on TyC Sports and TyC Sports Play. Argentino de Merlo opened the scoring in the 29th minute of the first half with a goal from Lucas Scarnato. In the second half, Víctor López extended the lead at the 7th minute, Juan Pablo Zárate pulled one back for Excursionistas at the 20th, and Lucas Delgado sealed the 3-1 a minute later.
Referee Ariel Cruz issued numerous cards: five yellows to Excursionistas and six to Argentino de Merlo, plus a red to Sánchez de León at the 43rd minute of the second half. Final stats showed 48% possession for Excursionistas and 52% for Argentino de Merlo, with one shot on target for the hosts and three for the visitors.
Both teams arrived with irregular form. Argentino de Merlo had lost its last two games before this, to Brown de Adrogué (2-4) and Atlético Quilmes (0-1), but won three of their previous five. Excursionistas also came from defeats, including against Villa Dálmine (1-2) and Flandria (0-1).
The recent head-to-head slightly favors Argentino de Merlo, with a 2-1 win in July 2025 and prior draws. The return leg is scheduled for November 30 at Estadio Juan Carlos Brieva.
Estadio Excursionistas is located at La Pampa 1376, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires.