1'On an afternoon of huge anticipation, the ball is in play; the team look for that first safe pass around the D.
2'The home side manage the ball with an extra gear, shifting the away side from side to side.
3'🎯 Mario Bagnoli runs at goal and shapes to shoot...
3'...hits it with his left foot...
3'Scuffed shot from Mario Bagnoli; not pretty, but it still caused problems. The home side are in a much better position after that.
5'Mario Bagnoli arrives late and brings down a the opponent player; foul, no real argument. You can see the work done on the training ground this week.
6'A teammate darts in behind and the defence is left trailing in the slipstream.
11'The away side put the game to sleep down the left, trying to tempt the home side out of their shell.
12'Interception by the home side through the middle; good pressure and even better reading of the game.
13'The home side put the game to sleep down the right, trying to tempt the away side out of their shell.
14'Loly Pinto accelerates down the left and the counter starts to take shape. You can feel the tension in every yard.
17'Kiki Bertolini tries one from range, powerful, but lacking direction. That was one of those moments that changes the pulse of a game.
22'Ricardo Riccardi tries one from range, powerful, but lacking direction.
26'The away side manage the ball with teeth gritted, shifting the home side from side to side.
29'Mauricio Bertini cuts the passing lane and starves the the home side attack of oxygen.
31'The ball is doing the rounds: the away side are in no rush, letting the attack simmer slowly.
34'Possession belongs to the home side, although for now there's no real bite around the box. The managers are already taking notes.
36'The away side stretch the pitch and make the home side chase shadows. You can feel the tension from early on.
37'Ismael Hoyos finds exactly the right channel and leaves Franco Aldecoa staring at goal. The story is only just beginning.
38'Kiki Bertolini tries one from range, powerful, but lacking direction. The result will give everyone plenty to chew on.
39'The ball moves safely between the the home side shirts; what's missing is a bit of pace in the final third.
45'The away side move it about sensibly, with Milton Vecchi as the side's compass.
46'As the heart rates come down, end of the first half: the team and the opponent head in with plenty to fix.
47'Tadeo Trotta collects between the centre-backs after a pass that split the pitch in two. There's noise all around the ground.
50'Deft touch from Kiki Bertolini: the defence appealed for offside, but play goes on.
51'A teammate chases down the keeper, the crowd get right behind it and the away side are rushed.
56'The away side manage the ball street-football style, shifting the home side from side to side. Tactical awareness is counting for more and more.
58'The ball moves safely between the the home side shirts; what's missing is a bit of pace in the final third.
59'The home side carve the defence open with a surgical touch from Ricardo Riccardi. There's a lot riding on this.
63'It's getting scrappy in midfield, with heavy challenges and few concessions.
65'A the opponent player is down after a heavy collision; play is stopped.
66'The away side try to play out from the back, but the home side swarm all over them as a unit. The dressing room will have the final say.
67'The keeper and the opposing defender get their wires crossed; that nearly became a collector's-item blooper.
68'Ricardo Bonansea plays it back and starts again; sometimes going backwards is attacking too. This game calls for calm heads.
69'Ismael Hoyos slows things down, puts a foot on the ball and waits for a path to open.
70'The the home side press bites between the lines; the away side start to lose their clarity.
73'🎯 Joaco Tassinari runs at goal and shapes to shoot...
73'...hits it with his left foot...
73'A teammate is face to face with goal and finishes quickly before the gap closes. Now the ball will do the talking.
77'Lalo Zappa darts in behind and Kiki Bertolini plays the striker in with a superb ball. The managers are already taking notes.
78'🎯 Ismael Hoyos runs at goal and shapes to shoot...
78'...hits it with his left foot...
78'Ismael Hoyos hits it from distance and the ball goes looking for the net. The second half promises a different story.
79'The opposing defender hesitates, the ball runs away and a teammate smells blood.
80'The away side put the game to sleep in behind the holding midfielder, trying to tempt the home side out of their shell.
82'🛡️ The defence clears the danger and keeps the ball.
84'Interception by the away side from inside their own half; good pressure and even better reading of the game.
85'The away side move it about sensibly, with Kiki Bertolini as the side's compass. The weather is playing its part.
86'The defender turns up exactly where it's burning hot and clears the danger.
88'The home side have the ball, but the away side close the spaces as best they can. There'll be plenty to analyse.
90'After ninety intense minutes, the end of a story of nerves, fine details and plenty of physical football. The dressing room will have the final say.
0 - 0General Sarmiento de Almagro