La Natividad-La Dolfina Conquers Palermo: Historic Triple Crown Triumph in the 132nd Argentine Open
2025-12-09 12:30
La Natividad-La Dolfina Conquers Palermo: Historic Triple Crown Triumph in the 132nd Argentine Open
The 132nd Campeonato Argentino Abierto de Polo—widely known as the Palermo Open—unfolded as a spectacle of raw power, family legacy, and unyielding grit at the legendary Campo Argentino de Polo in Buenos Aires' Palermo district.
Running from November 1 to December 7, 2025, this pinnacle of global polo, organized by the Argentine Association of Polo (AAP), featured 12 elite teams handicapped between 28 and 40 goals. In a fitting climax, La Natividad-La Dolfina, the season's invincible force, clinched a commanding 17-13 victory over Ellerstina-Indios Chapaleufú in the final, securing their first Palermo title and etching their names into history with the Triple Crown—victories in Hurlingham, Tortugas, and Palermo.
This dream team from Cañuelas, blending the mastery of Adolfo Cambiaso with the prodigious talents of his son Adolfo "Poroto" Cambiaso (h.) and nephews Bartolomé and Camilo Castagnola, remained undefeated across 12 matches, a feat unseen in over a decade.
President Javier Milei, a vocal admirer of Cambiaso, presented the Championship Cup amid roaring crowds, underscoring the event's blend of sport and national prestige. With broadcasts reaching over 80 countries and 20,000 spectators packing the stands, the 2025 edition reaffirmed Palermo's status as polo's grand cathedral.
Tournament Overview: Teams and Titans
The 132nd Open showcased a field of titans, with teams vying in a zone-based format leading to semifinals and a high-stakes final. Sponsored by Visa and Banco Galicia, it highlighted Argentine polo's depth, from family dynasties to international infusions.
Key contenders included:
La Natividad-La Dolfina (40 goals): Camilo Castagnola (10), Adolfo Cambiaso (10), Bartolomé Castagnola (h.) (10), Adolfo Cambiaso (h.) (10). Coached by the collective wisdom of Cañuelas' finest, this fusion of two powerhouse clubs entered as heavy favorites after dominating Hurlingham and Tortugas.
Ellerstina-Indios Chapaleufú (36 goals): Facundo Pieres (10), Antonio Heguy (8), Gonzalo Pieres (9), Cruz Heguy (9). A resilient underdog story, blending Pieres precision with Heguy heritage, they stormed into their first final since 2018.
UAE Polo (38 goals): Notable for their semifinal clash, featuring global stars like Tomás Panelo.
Other notables: La Irenita-La Hache (37 goals) with Pablo Mac Donough (10), and La Dolfina II as qualifiers.
Adolfo Cambiaso claimed his 29th Palermo final appearance, now with a record fifth Triple Crown to his name—the only player to achieve it five times, all in family formation. Camilo Castagnola earned MVP honors for his tournament-leading six goals in the final.
Path to Glory: Key Match Results from 2025
The tournament's zone structure delivered thrillers, with La Natividad-La Dolfina's unbeaten run setting the stage for their coronation.
Zone Play Highlights
La Natividad-La Dolfina's Dominance: Kicked off with a 20-6 rout of Sol de Agosto on November 1, scoring a blistering 5-0 in the first chukker. They followed with wins over Los Machitos El Refugio (18-6) and others, amassing 10 straight victories before the playoffs.
Ellerstina-Indios Chapaleufú's Surge: Overcame early stumbles to edge La Hache Cría & Polo 15-14 and Vista Alegre 14-12, building momentum with Facundo Pieres' offensive fireworks.
Semifinal 1: La Natividad-La Dolfina 16-14 UAE Polo (December 3, Field 1)
A nail-biter under Palermo lights, this thriller tested the favorites' mettle. Tied at 13-13 entering the sixth chukker, UAE's Tomás Panelo nosed ahead 14-13 with five minutes left. But Camilo "Jeta" Castagnola unleashed two golazos in the dying moments—his second at 1:15 and a penalty equalizer at 3:30—before Adolfo sealed it 16-14. Scorers: Camilo Castagnola (6, incl. 2 penalties), Poroto Cambiaso (6, incl. 4 penalties), Adolfo Cambiaso (2), Bartolomé Castagnola (2, incl. 1 penalty). UAE's Panelo shone with key strikes, but the Cañuelas quartet's composure prevailed. President Milei watched from the stands, adding electric tension.
Semifinal 2: Ellerstina-Indios Chapaleufú Defeats La Irenita-La Hache (December 4, Field 1)
In a grudge match, Ellerstina rallied from the brink, outlasting Mac Donough's squad in a scoreline reflecting their grit (exact: 14-12 per reports). Facundo Pieres' leadership propelled them to the final, marking a dream return for the Heguy-Pieres alliance.
The Final Epic: La Natividad-La Dolfina's Masterclass (December 7, Field 1)
Before 20,000 fervent fans and dignitaries, including President Milei, the Championship Cup final pitted youth against legacy in a 17-13 masterclass by La Natividad-La Dolfina. Ellerstina struck first, leading 3-2 after two chukkas on Gonzalo Pieres' precision. But the 40-goal juggernaut shifted gears: Camilo's hat-trick in the third leveled it at 5-5, then exploded for a 4-1 fourth chukker run, spearheaded by Poroto's midfield dominance.
Ellerstina clawed back to 10-9 at halftime, but Adolfo Cambiaso's veteran poise—netting two in the fifth—extended the lead to 12-10. The sixth sealed it with Bartolomé's insurance goal amid relentless pressure. Final scorers: Camilo Castagnola (6), Poroto Cambiaso (5, incl. penalties), Adolfo Cambiaso (3), Bartolomé Castagnola (3) for the winners; Facundo Pieres (5), Gonzalo Pieres (4), Cruz Heguy (3), Antonio Heguy (1) for Ellerstina. Umpires ensured a clean, high-octane affair.
Legacy and Milestones
This victory crowns La Natividad-La Dolfina's perfect season, the sixth team to claim the Triple Crown (joining Coronel Suárez, Santa Ana, Ellerstina, La Aguada, and La Dolfina). Adolfo Cambiaso, at 50, ties closer to Juan Carlos Harriott's records, now with 19 Palermo titles. For the young guns—Poroto (20), Bartolomé (24), Camilo (22)—it's a launchpad to dynasty. Ellerstina's runners-up finish highlights emerging talents like Cruz Heguy in his Open debut.
The 132nd Palermo Open elevated polo's global allure, blending athleticism with Argentina's equestrian soul. As Milei embraced Cambiaso post-match, it symbolized national pride. For highlights, relive the final here. Palermo's magic endures—until 2026!