There are only three games left for the definition of the Women's Apertura Tournament and the twelfth day had as many surprises as decisive duels. For this reason, from FutFemGol we want to relive the little gems of date 12 that left Racing and San Lorenzo sharing the top of the table, with River and Talleres running from behind.
Read also: The FutFemGol jewels from date 11 of the Apertura Tournament 2026
The date was played in two days. On Saturday, Talleres and Unión played the only draw of the day, in Córdoba. Likewise, San Luis triumphed in its visit to Ferro with goals from Victoria Vázquez and Juanita Díaz, Gimnasia beat River and both Racing and San Lorenzo did the same against Huracán and Independiente, respectively.
Delfina Pafundi and Agostina Holzheier, the outstanding figures of San Lorenzo and Racing in the jewels of date 12. (Photos: @CASLAFFemenino and @RacingClub)
In addition, Lucía Gómez gave Belgrano the victory at the Newell's property. Sunday ended the day with two wins by the slightest difference: S.A.T. won on his visit to Banfield (Lara López) and Boca won with a goal against Lanús.
The FutFemGol gems from date 12 of the 2026 Apertura Tournament
Talleres dominated, but Unión resisted and left Córdoba celebrating an unexpected draw
No one imagined at the beginning of the Women's Apertura Tournament that Unión would take so many dates to adapt to the top category, nor that Talleres would run from behind in the main race for the title. In this framework they met on the twelfth day, involved in opposite realities but both teams with something in common: a lot of room for improvement.
The T made an exemplary summer pass market, incorporating figures of the stature of Romina Núñez, Juana Fonseca and Agustina Vargas, among others, and reinforcing all the lines of the Matadoras. Even so, they did not obtain the expected results in the most crucial matches against the best rivals in the championship and, before receiving the Santa Fe team, they were six points behind the leaders Racing and San Lorenzo.
Despite Talleres' tireless attempts, Unión took a point from Córdoba. (Photo: @CATalleresdecba)
El Tatengue, for its part, chose to maintain the base of the team that achieved promotion to the First Division and extended the bond of almost its entire cast. The plan did not work, since today Paulo Poccia's team is the only team without victories so far this season and remains in last position. However, in Córdoba there was a surprising tie that gave everyone something to talk about.
Talleres pushed and looked for the advantage from start to finish, but Unión withstood the pressure and held the score at zero. The hierarchy of international reinforcements could not overcome the will of a team hit by its present, which only added its third unit of the tournament. The victories of Racing and San Lorenzo did not favor the Matadoras either, who with 9 points at stake were already 8 points away from the top.
Priscila Ellena and Josefina Félix mark Emilse Albornos during the tie between Talleres and Unión. (Photo: @clubaunion)
In this way, the Tatengas ended a streak of five games without scoring points. Their last draw had been a 2-2 against Independiente, on May 9, matchday 6. Previously, they had tied during the fourth matchday against the other candidate from Córdoba, Belgrano, also without goals. On the side of those led by Leandro Iglesias, they added their third draw in five disputes, although they had just beaten Independiente 3-1 and Huracán 4-0.
Gimnasia struck the blow and beat River with Florencia Gaetán's first hat-trick in his career
Speaking of title contenders, River had returned to victory on the last day against Newell's and had regained confidence before measuring its strength against Gimnasia. La Manada, for its part, had barely won one of seven disputes and was in need of rediscovering the authority it lost in its losing streak. In this context, Silvana Villalobos' team left behind the ghosts that tormented it and won decisively against the Millonarias, surprised by the win from La Plata that took them away from the lead.
Florencia Gaetán opened the scoring and became the top scorer of the Apertura Tournament. Marilyn Esquivel soon extended the advantage, who had scored in the 2-2 draw against Banfield on the previous date and was one goal short of the official 50 with Gimnasia. Then the former Villa San Carlos and Racing scored again but, before expanding on Gaetán's gems, let's mention River's discounts.
Gimnasia beat River with Florencia Gaetán's first official hat trick. (Photo: @FemeninoCGE)
In the complement, Paloma Fagiano cut Lobo's advantage. He had not scored since the third day against Unión, a rival against whom he scored a double that represented his only scoring contribution in the championship (until now). Thus he reached 11 sacred shouts in the Band, 26 in First Division adding his 15 goals with Racing. Carolina Birizamberri also converted, celebrating her debut on the networks this season.
With his goal against Gimnasia, Birizamberri reached 102 official goals in Argentina. In this way, he joined the limited list of figures with at least one sacred cry in each of the 11 tournaments played in the semi-professional era: along with Zoraida Leguizamón (S.A.T.), Mercedes Pereyra (River) and Rocío Bueno (Racing).
Agustina Maldonado and Dahiana Cantero, in Gimnasia's victory over River. (Photo: @FemeninoCGE)
But the lights pointed to Gaetán, who scored the first hat-trick of her career and stretched her lead as the tournament's top scorer to 8 goals. Flor had not scored more than one goal in a single game since November 2024, when he contributed a double to Gimnasia's 4-3 victory over Newell's. With this result, the team from La Plata reached 5th place with 19 points, while those led by Nicolás Loncharich accumulated their third defeat in four games and continue in 3rd place with 23 points.
Racing and San Lorenzo defeated Huracán and Independiente and continue to share the top of the Tournament
And we talked so much about the leaders, that it was time to tell how they did. Between Talleres' unexpected draw and River's disappointing fall, Racing and San Lorenzo took advantage of the opportunity to escape at the top of the table with so few games remaining. The Academy did its thing against Huracán, while the Ciclón beat Independiente.
Racing went ahead with a goal from Marleidy Cossio, who scored his 15th goal in Argentina. The ex-Banfield player reached 6 points and became her team's top scorer for a few minutes, until Agostina Holzheier stretched the Albicelestes' lead and equaled it in sacred screams. The ex-River had just done a double for the club from which she emerged during matchday 10, just two weeks ago.
Racing beat Huracán with goals from Marleidy Cossio and Agostina Holzheier. (Photo: @RacingClub)
In parallel, San Lorenzo beat Independiente by the same result, 2-0, but it is worth clarifying that they received the Diablas at the Estadio 12 de Agosto (S.A.T. field) and, contrary to what was announced until the time of the match, the Barça victory was not broadcast on LPF Play. At least the official account of the Santitas published the minute by minute of the match, in which it reported the goals of Florencia Curril and Delfina Pafundi. The midfielder had not scored since March of last year, while the former Huracán reached 5 goals this season.
While Pafundi became San Lorenzo's top scorer, Curril scored her first goal for her current club and reached 13 official goals (adding to her 6 in Racing and 6 in Gimnasia). Among other notable incidents, Oriana Buscalia wasted a penalty that could have put Independiente ahead and Rojo ended up with one less player due to the late expulsion of Oriana Villa.
Azul Muzio added its fourth clean sheet in four saved games after San Lorenzo's victory against Independiente. (Photo: CASLAFFemenino)
Then, passing clean, Racing added its fifth victory in the last six disputes and San Lorenzo obtained its sixth victory in seven games. Both tied with Belgrano in the middle, and are equal at 29 points, sharing the leadership of the 2026 Apertura Tournament. Regarding the goalkeepers, Alicia Bobadilla reached five undefeated goals in eight matches saved and Azul Muzio obtained a clean sheet for the fourth consecutive date. The victories against Huracán and Independiente revalidated the excellent present of Academicas and Santitas, who want to fight for the title until the last date.