their second title. Defensa achieved promotion after beating Barracas Central 7–0. That same year, Defensa y Justicia played an "Octogonal", an 8-team tournament which winner promoted to Primera División. After a 1–1 draw v Atlanta, the club promoted to recently created Primera B Nacional on 1 June 1986, achieving their second promotion within six months. In the first Primera B Nacional season, 1986–87, the team finished 10th. The following years Defensa would be relegated again, but the club returned to Primera B Nacional when winning the 1996–97 title in B Metro. In 1998–99 season and coached by Ricardo Villa, Defensa was near to promote after eliminating Arsenal de Sarandí and Cipolletti, then losing to Chacarita Juniors (which would then promote along with champion Instituto 4–2 on aggregate. In 1999–2000 Defensa was coached by Jorge Burruchaga but could not qualify to "Torneo Reducido" (promotion and relegation playoff). In 2014, Defensa y Justicia promoted to Primera División, the top division of Argentina, along with champion Banfield and Independiente. Defensa beat San Martín de San Juan 1–0 with goal by Brian Fernández. Coached by Diego Cocca, the starting line-up was: Diego Pellegrino; Cristian Báez, Juan Tejera, Emir Faccioli, Marcelo Benítez; Víctor Aguilera, Axel Juárez, Nelson Acevedo, Washington Camacho; Claudio Guerra, Brian Fernández. Defensa y Justicia debuted in Primera División on August 9, 2014 v Racing Club, being defeated 3–1. The team did not make a good performance, finishing 18th. out of 20 teams. On the other hand, Defensa had a better performance in Copa Argentina where they eliminated Godoy Cruz and San Lorenzo, but lost to Atlético de Rafaela in quarterfinals. In the next season, 2015 (contested by 30 teams due a restructuring of the tournament), Defensa y Justicia finished in the 21st position, with only 8 games won. In June 2015, Ariel Holan was appointed as coach in replacement of José Oscar Flores. It was the first tenure of Holan on a professional club in Primera Division after having worked in several coaching staffs such as Arsenal de Sarandí, Independiente, Estudiantes de La Plata. He had also worked with Matías Almeyda in River Plate. In 2015–16 Copa Argentina, Defensa eliminated Independiente in the second stage. Nevertheless, in 2016 Primera División season was one of the six teams to qualify to 2017 Copa Sudamericana, the first international competition where the club participated. The team advanced to second stage after eliminating Brazilian side São