Huracán vs. Platense: The Epic 2025 Apertura Tournament Final
The Huracán vs. Platense clash in the 2025 Apertura Tournament final, held on June 1 at the Estadio Madre de Ciudades in Santiago del Estero, etched its place in Argentine football history. Platense, nicknamed “Calamar,” clinched their first title in 120 years with a 1–0 victory, thanks to a stunning goal by Guido Mainero. This article dives into the emotion of the match, highlighting key moments, players, team journeys, and fan reactions. Relive the complete 2025 Apertura standings and this unforgettable final!
Match Summary: Huracán vs. Platense
The 2025 Apertura final between Huracán and Platense was a tense affair with few clear chances, decided by a moment of brilliance. In the second half, at the 63rd minute, a cross from Vicente Taborda found captain Ignacio Vázquez, who set up Guido Mainero. The Córdoba-born midfielder struck a spectacular volley, placing the ball into the top corner past a helpless Hernán Galíndez. The 1–0 scoreline secured Platense’s historic title, having overcome giants like Racing, River Plate, and San Lorenzo in the playoffs.
Huracán, led by Frank Kudelka, controlled possession and pushed forward with offensive substitutions like Ramón Ábila and Matías Tissera but struggled against Platense’s resolute defense, anchored by Ignacio Vázquez and Juan Pablo Cozzani. The match, broadcast by ESPN Premium and TNT Sports, was officiated by Facundo Tello and watched by fans worldwide.
How Huracán Reached the Final
Huracán, known as “Globo,” delivered a memorable campaign in the 2025 Apertura. Finishing fourth in Zone A with seven wins and six draws in 16 matches, they scored 16 goals and conceded just 12, boasting one of the tournament’s best defenses. In the playoffs, they eliminated Deportivo Riestra in the round of 16, Rosario Central in the quarterfinals, and Independiente in the semifinals via a thrilling penalty shootout after a 0–0 draw.
Under Kudelka’s guidance, Huracán fielded a balanced lineup in the final:
- Goalkeeper: Hernán Galíndez (captain)
- Defense: Tomás Guidara, Fabio Pereyra, Marco Pellegrino, César Ibáñez
- Midfield: Leonel Pérez, Leonardo Gil, Matko Miljevic
- Attack: Walter Mazzantti, Agustín Urzi, Eric Ramírez
Players like Miljevic and Mazzantti posed threats, but a lack of precision in finishing cost them. Despite the loss, Huracán’s campaign solidified their status as Argentina’s “sixth giant,” with their last major title being the 2014 Copa Argentina.
Platense: The Giant Slayers
Platense, coached by the duo of Favio Orsi and Sergio Gómez, was the surprise package of the 2025 Apertura. Finishing sixth in Zone B with six wins and five losses, they scored 13 goals and conceded 11 in the regular phase. In the playoffs, the “Calamar” stunned three giants away from home: Racing (1–0), River Plate (4–2 on penalties after a 1–1 draw), and San Lorenzo (1–0, with a goal by Franco Zapiola).
In the final, Platense lined up:
- Goalkeeper: Juan Pablo Cozzani
- Defense: Juan Saborido, Ignacio Vázquez (captain), Oscar Salomón, Tomás Silva
- Midfield: Rodrigo Herrera, Leonel Picco, Guido Mainero, Vicente Taborda
- Attack: Ronaldo Martínez, Augusto Lotti
Mainero, scorer of the decisive goal, and Vázquez, a defensive rock, were the standouts. The victory crowned a historic campaign, marking Platense’s first Primera División title since their founding in 1905.
Huracán vs. Platense Statistics
The Huracán vs. Platense final was closely contested, with balanced possession and few clear chances. Key statistics include:
| Statistic | Huracán | Platense |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 52% | 48% |
| Shots on Target | 4 | 3 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 (Miljevic, other) | 5 (Mainero, Cozzani, Juárez, others) |
| Corners | 5 | 3 |
Source: Data from Sofascore and ESPN.
Platense’s efficiency from set pieces proved decisive, while Huracán struggled with creativity in attack. The match’s single goal aligns with the trend of low-scoring games between these teams, with six of their last seven encounters featuring under 2.5 goals.
Head-to-Head History
Huracán and Platense share a long-standing rivalry, with 128 official matches. Huracán leads with 54 wins to Platense’s 42, plus 32 draws. In knockout ties, Huracán won four of five, including a 5–4 penalty shootout in the 2024 Copa Argentina. Their last meeting before the final, on December 9, 2024, ended in a 1–0 Huracán victory.
The 2025 final, however, rewrote this history, with Platense breaking Huracán’s recent dominance and claiming a title that will live long in Calamar fans’ memories.
Fan Reactions
The Huracán vs. Platense final sparked immense excitement on social media. Platense fans celebrated the historic triumph, with X posts highlighting Mainero’s goal: “Guido Mainero is our hero! Platense champions after 120 years!” Huracán supporters, while disappointed, acknowledged their team’s strong campaign: “We lost, but the Globo soared high this year.”
Some X comments humorously noted the low attendance, predicting “200 people per side” at the final, reflecting the smaller commercial appeal of Huracán and Platense compared to giants like Boca Juniors. Nevertheless, the passion of fans in Santiago del Estero turned the Madre de Ciudades into an emotional cauldron.
Impact of the Title
Platense’s victory in Huracán vs. Platense secured a spot in the 2026 Copa Libertadores, with a minimum prize of US$6 million for participation, plus entry into the 2025 Trofeo de Campeones and Supercopa Argentina. While the exact prize money for the 2025 Apertura is unconfirmed by the AFA, estimates based on 2024 suggest around US$500,000 for the champions.
For Huracán, the defeat was a setback, but their campaign underscored their competitiveness. The club, without an Argentine title since 1973, now looks to the 2025 Copa Sudamericana.
Key Figures of the Final
Guido Mainero: Platense’s Hero
Guido Mainero, 30, became the symbol of the triumph. His volleyed goal was described as a “masterpiece” by fans and journalists. “We’re a humble group with big dreams,” an emotional Mainero said post-match. His performance cemented his role in Orsi and Gómez’s system.
Favio Orsi and Sergio Gómez: The Winning Duo
Platense’s coaching pair was pivotal. Orsi, who lost his father during the campaign, dedicated the title to his family: “I think of my old man; I wish I could hug him.” Gómez emphasized the connection with fans, encouraging players to engage with supporters after matches.
Frank Kudelka: Huracán’s Maestro
Kudelka, 64, led Huracán to a near-flawless campaign but couldn’t overcome Platense’s efficiency. His experience was widely praised despite the loss.
Comparison with Past Finals
The Huracán vs. Platense final was one of the least expected in Argentine football, featuring two teams outside the “big five” (Boca, River, Racing, Independiente, San Lorenzo). In 2024, Estudiantes won the Copa de la Liga, and Vélez claimed the Liga Profesional, both with more hyped squads. Platense’s triumph echoes Aldosivi’s upset in the 2025 Copa Argentina, where they defeated Estudiantes on penalties.
The final’s single goal aligns with the low-scoring history of Huracán vs. Platense matches, except for a 4–2 Platense win in 2021, featuring a Matías Tissera hat-trick—ironically, now a Huracán player.
How to Follow Argentine Football
To stay updated on matches like Huracán vs. Platense:
- Watch via ESPN Premium or TNT Sports, available on platforms like Flow and DGO.
- Check the AFA website (afa.com.ar) for official results.
- Follow real-time stats on Sofascore.
- See our 2025 Apertura playoff table for more details.
Outlook for 2025
Post-final, both teams shift focus to the 2025 Copa Sudamericana and Liga Profesional. Platense, now champions, aim to strengthen their squad, while Huracán seeks to end their title drought. Players like Mainero and Miljevic may attract European interest, and young talents like Franco Zapiola (Platense) are emerging stars.
Join the Excitement!
The Huracán vs. Platense final marked a historic moment in Argentine football, with Platense etching their name in history. Who will be the next champion? Save this page for updates and share your thoughts on X: Was Guido Mainero the ultimate hero, or did Huracán deserve more? Comment and embrace the passion of Argentine football!
