Deportivo Armenio Stage Daring Comeback to Edge Sportivo Italiano 3-2 in Thriller, Seize Second Place in Promotion Race

Under spring skies at Armenia Stadium, Deportivo Armenio delivered a performance befitting their ambitions, overturning an early deficit to claim a dramatic 3-2 victory over Sportivo Italiano—a result that reverberates through the tight upper rungs of Primera B Metropolitana and further fuels Armenio’s promotion hopes.

Sportivo Italiano, arriving on a wave of defensive confidence and a string of narrow victories, struck first in the waning light of the fifth minute. After a brief but incisive foray into Armenio territory, the referee pointed to the spot, and Italiano’s unnamed specialist dispatched the penalty with clinical precision, sending the visiting fans into raucous celebration and momentarily silencing the home faithful.

But Armenio, whose recent form has been defined by resilience—three wins and two draws in their last five—did not flinch. They regrouped, found composure, and in the 20th minute, Segovia Imanol—whose name is fast becoming synonymous with decisive moments—latched onto a clever through ball and finished low, restoring parity with a goal that spoke to both tactical ingenuity and individual flair.

The first half ended with Armenio in the ascendancy but no further score, Italiano’s defense bending but not quite breaking. Both teams entered the interval understanding the stakes: Armenio needed the points to keep pace with leaders, and Italiano were desperate to bridge the gap between fifth and the coveted top spots.

The match’s turning point arrived early in the second half. In the 54th minute, Armenio broke through—details on the scorer remain elusive, but the goal itself was the product of sustained pressure and a deft cross that found its mark among a crowded penalty area. The stadium erupted, Armenio now ahead for the first time.

Momentum, once seized, was not relinquished. The home side pressed their advantage, and eleven minutes later, in the 65th minute, Armenio struck again. Another goal, name yet unknown, but its impact undeniable—3-1, and the hosts were in full command, their passing sharper, their movement more fluid as Italiano struggled to keep pace.

Yet Sportivo Italiano, never a side to yield quietly, clawed back in the 70th minute. Their second goal was a lifeline, a reminder of why they’ve remained within touching distance of the leaders all season. The closing stages grew increasingly tense, with Italiano throwing bodies forward, searching for the equalizer as Armenio defended with resolve and tactical discipline.

The drama peaked in stoppage time, when an Italiano player saw red—the reasons shrouded, but the effect immediate. Down to ten, Italiano’s comeback hopes were extinguished, and Armenio, after expertly running down the clock, were left to savor both points and progress.

This result, in context, is seismic for both sides. Deportivo Armenio, by moving to 28 points, leapfrog Italiano for second place, now boasting just one loss from fifteen matches—a portrait of consistency and ambition. Italiano, stuck at 26 points, remain fifth; their recent run of three consecutive 1-0 victories now interrupted, their defensive repute tested and found wanting under the brightest lights.

Both teams entered this contest as equals in recent form—Armenio unbeaten in five, Italiano undefeated since mid-September—but it was Armenio’s capacity to absorb an early blow and respond with calculated aggression that defined the outcome. This follows a script familiar to Armenio supporters: their last five included a win at Excursionistas and a hard-fought draw at Midland, each result building momentum for today’s coup.

For Italiano, the frustration is palpable. Their run had been built on strangling opposition attacks; today, they could not withstand Armenio’s incisive play, and discipline deserted them at the death. The red card compounds a difficult night, likely complicating preparations for their next fixture and placing greater pressure on manager and squad alike.

Head-to-head, Armenio and Italiano have often played out tense, low-scoring affairs—today’s five-goal spectacle a departure, underscoring Armenio’s increasing scoring punch and ability to wrest control at home.

Looking forward, the stakes heighten. Armenio, surging, must now defend their place with fixtures looming against rivals eager to disrupt their climb. With only one loss in fifteen, promotion is no longer wishful but possible—provided they sustain this blend of attacking verve and defensive steel.

For Sportivo Italiano, the road hardens. A slip to fifth mandates both introspection and immediate response. Their margin for error narrows; the discipline that failed them tonight must be restored, and their attack—despite two interventions—will need sharpening if they are to reauthor their promotion narrative.

As the season tips past its midway mark, tonight’s contest may well be remembered as a turning point: Armenio’s comeback crystallizing their ambitions, Italiano left searching for answers in the shadows of Armenia Stadium.