Patronato Parana and Gimnasia Jujuy played out an extraordinary six-goal thriller in the Primera Nacional, with the home side twice fighting back from behind to salvage a pulsating 3-3 draw under the lights in Paraná. The match, played on 23 August 2026 at the Estadio Presbítero Bartolomé Grella, delivered everything fans love about Argentina's second division: relentless tempo, defensive lapses, moments of individual brilliance, and a finish that left both sets of supporters breathless.

Match Overview

Patronato entered the contest needing points to stay in touch with the top of the table, while Gimnasia Jujuy arrived as a dangerous, well-drilled side capable of punishing any lapse in concentration. From the opening whistle, it was clear that neither team intended to sit back. The visitors struck first, but Patronato hit back almost immediately. The momentum swung repeatedly, with the scoreline reading 2-1, 2-2, 3-2, and finally 3-3 as the clock ticked past the 90-minute mark. In the end, a draw was probably the fairest reflection of a chaotic, open game.

Key Moments

• Early shock: Gimnasia Jujuy stunned the home crowd inside 15 minutes, converting a swift counter-attack after a Patronato corner was cleared.
• Instant response: Patronato leveled within five minutes, as a well-worked left-wing move was finished first-time at the near post.
• Jujuy edge ahead: Just before half-time, the visitors restored their lead with a powerful header from a corner, leaving the Rojinegro with a mountain to climb.
• Patronato equalizer: Fifty minutes in, a penalty was calmly slotted home after a clumsy tackle in the box, making it 2-2.
• Dramatic twist: The home side completed the turnaround with a stunning long-range strike, sending the Grella into delirium at 3-2.
• Late heartbreak: With eight minutes remaining, Gimnasia Jujuy earned a short-corner routine that ended with a low drive through a crowded box, sealing the final 3-3 scoreline.

Tactical Story

Both coaches preferred an aggressive, attacking shape, with the midfield often bypassed in favor of direct wide play. Patronato relied heavily on overlapping full-backs to create overloads, but this left spaces in behind, which Gimnasia Jujuy exploited ruthlessly on the break. The visitors' discipline in set pieces caused problems all night, while Patronato's urgency increased as the match wore on. The final quarter-hour descended into end-to-end basketball-like action, with both sides squandering chances to win it.

Standout Players

Patronato's creative midfielder was the heartbeat of his side, registering a goal and an assist while continuously asking questions of the Jujuy defense. For Gimnasia Jujuy, the centre-forward's physical presence and sharp movement caused chaos, and his second-half finish was the highlight of the match. The goalkeepers, though beaten six times combined, each made crucial saves to keep the score from reaching even wilder proportions.

Season Impact

The result leaves Patronato Parana still searching for consistency, but after recovering twice from deficit, the character shown will give the coaching staff reasons for optimism. For Gimnasia Jujuy, throwing away a lead twice and conceding late will sting, yet they extended their unbeaten away run and showed attacking quality that should serve them well in the Primera Nacional standings. With the promotion race increasingly competitive, both clubs know they cannot afford many more slip-ups if they are to challenge for a place in the top flight.