Argentine Championship. Primera B. Women
The Argentine Women's Primera B Championship (Primera B Femenina) is the second tier of women's football in Argentina. It features teams from across the country vying for promotion to the top-flight Primera A, highlighting the surge in women's soccer amid a male-dominated sports culture. Seasons typically run from March to November, with breaks for internationals, involving 16-20 competitive sides.
History and foundation
Women's football in Argentina gained traction in the 1990s, but Primera B was formalized in 2018 under AFA reforms. A 2019 restructure professionalized the league. Notably, the 2020 COVID-shortened season saw unity, with promotions for sides like San Lorenzo and River Plate B. In 2022, Estudiantes de La Plata shocked by clinching playoffs for elite ascent. A 2021 fan riot led to match forfeits, spurring safety upgrades.
Tournament format
The format features a double round-robin regular season, with top-4 advancing to promotion playoffs via mini-tournaments or knockouts. Bottom teams face relegation to Primera C. Matches occur on 5,000-20,000 capacity venues, with VAR introduced in 2023 for fairness.
Interesting facts
Average goals per match hover at 2.8, exceeding Primera A's 2.4 due to attacking flair. Top scorers include Maria Peralta (Independiente, 22 in 2022) and Laura Rodriguez (18 goals). Standouts: Sofia Oliveira, U-20 international promoted to A; Carla Rodas, assist queen (15). The league nurtures technical talents with Argentine passion.