Colón, the only side to break the “curse of the first” | OneFootball

Rosario Central seemed destined to be the exception. It was the best team of the Clausura 2025, dominated the overall standings with authority, and reached the quarter-finals backed by an impeccable season. But on Sunday, November 23, at the Gigante de Arroyito, their campaign crumbled in a single play: Estudiantes defeated them 1-0 and eliminated them without answers. Once again, the leader was out before the final. And once again, Colón emerged as the only one capable of dispelling that myth.

A pattern that doesn't stop

The dynamic repeats tournament after tournament: the one leading the first phase fails to be crowned. Vélez, Racing, Estudiantes, Huracán, River, Godoy Cruz, Argentinos, and now Rosario Central went through the same disappointment. The strain of maintaining a high performance over many matches, the weight of obligation, or the unpredictability of an elimination match left them without a prize.

Since this format was adopted in 2021, only one team achieved what no one else has: leading the overall standings and then winning the title. It was Colón, with Eduardo Domínguez as the leader. The Sabalero surpassed Talleres in the quarter-finals on penalties, left Independiente behind, and authoritatively thrashed Racing on a historic night in San Juan.

That title not only represented the first championship in the club's history. It also marked a distinction that, over the years, far from fading, has solidified. Because each elimination of a leader revalues what that Colón achieved by maintaining consistency, but also had the personality to win where others faltered.

Rosario Central, a testament to how difficult it is

The fall of the Rosario team was not just another defeat. They had play, character, and numbers. But they failed at the decisive moment, like the rest. And every time that happens, Argentine football looks back to Santa Fe.

Colón achieved what today seems impossible. They broke a logic that affects everyone and already has its own name: the curse of the first. And as long as no one else breaks it, their 2021 star will continue to shine with special strength, not only for what it meant but for what no one has been able to repeat.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.