1'On an afternoon of huge anticipation, the ball is in play; the team look for that first safe pass from inside their own half.
2'Foul by the team to stop a counter that looked dangerous. The second half promises a different story.
2'🟥 🟥 STRAIGHT RED! Mirko Terzi is sent off for a reckless challenge. His side are down to ten.
3'Emanuel Krüger darts in behind and Silvio Zaghi plays the striker in with a superb ball. That move gives us plenty to talk about.
4'🛡️ The defence clears the danger and keeps the ball.
8'The away side put the game to sleep down the right, trying to tempt the home side out of their shell.
9'Deadly counter from the home side: few touches, lots of space and a whiff of danger. The half-time team talk could tip the balance.
10'The home side put the game to sleep down by the corner flag, trying to tempt the away side out of their shell.
13'🎯 Vito Barrera runs at goal and shapes to shoot...
13'...hits it with his left foot...
13'Scuffed shot from Vito Barrera; not pretty, but it still caused problems.
14'The away side move it about sensibly, with Emanuel Krüger as the side's compass.
15'Daniel Greco cuts the passing lane and starves the the away side attack of oxygen. The league table is starting to do its sums.
16'Risky pass back; the keeper has a fire to put out.
19'Vito Barrera slows things down, puts a foot on the ball and waits for a path to open.
20'⚡ The opposition make a mess of playing out from the back...
20'...Joaquín Tagliafico pounces on the gift...
20'...and he's one-on-one with the keeper...
20'...places it at the far post...
20'⚽ ⚽ WHAT A GOAAAL! Joaquín Tagliafico pokes it into the net. 1-0.
22'🛡️ The defence clears the danger and keeps the ball.
24'The home side stretch the pitch and make the away side chase shadows. There's a lot riding on this.
25'A set piece could unlock this one: corner to the home side.
26'The the away side press bites on the edge of the box; the home side start to lose their clarity. There's a lot riding on this.
31'Foul by the team to stop a counter that looked dangerous.
31'🟨 Fair booking: Nahuel Toledo was late and left a mark.
32'A teammate is face to face with goal and finishes quickly before the gap closes.
36'A set piece could unlock this one: corner to the away side.
37'🎯 Federico Boldini runs at goal and shapes to shoot...
37'...hits it with his left foot...
37'It fell perfectly for Federico Boldini, who hit it with heart and boot.
42'Nahuel Toledo slips a delicious through ball to Patricio Olivera, who is perfectly set. Now the ball will do the talking.
43'⚡ Dangerous free kick, Adrián Zaghi stands over the ball...
43'...the wall lines up, Adrián Zaghi eyes up the goal...
43'...he floats it into the box, everyone goes up...
43'...Quique De Rossi appears between the centre-backs...
43'⚽ ⚽ IT'S IN! GOOOOOAL! Quique De Rossi roars with delight. 1-1.
46'With the players heading for the dressing room, whistle and the break; the feeling is that the best is still to come. The small details could decide this.
49'The away side manage the ball with teeth gritted, shifting the home side from side to side.
52'Leonardo Aguirre nips in just before the ball reaches a teammate. Now the ball will do the talking.
54'Quick transition: Ethan Sayago looks up and searches for the right pass. The weather is playing its part.
60'There's a feeling that the next mistake could prove very costly. This one could go either way.
66'Brian Sandoval cuts the passing lane and starves the the home side attack of oxygen.
67'The away side put the game to sleep down by the corner flag, trying to tempt the home side out of their shell.
68'Gonzalo Beltza accelerates in behind the centre-back and the counter starts to take shape.
69'The home side manage the ball without giving it away, shifting the away side from side to side.
71'Interception by the away side in the danger zone; good pressure and even better reading of the game.
72'The away side put the game to sleep around the D, trying to tempt the home side out of their shell.
74'The player floats the corner beyond everyone and the defender arrives at the back post. There'll be plenty to analyse.
75'It fell perfectly for Emanuel Krüger, who hit it with heart and boot.
81'The home side can't get near the ball; the away side keep it from them patiently.
83'Interception by the home side down the right; good pressure and even better reading of the game. Time to look forward now.
84'The ball is doing the rounds: the home side are in no rush, letting the attack simmer slowly.
85'Vito Barrera takes charge of midfield and brings a bit of order to the chaos. That move gives us plenty to talk about.
86'⚡ Joaquín Tagliafico picks up the ball a long way from goal...
86'...nobody closes him down...
86'...shapes to shoot...
86'...and unleashes a THUNDERBOLT...
86'⚽ ⚽ WHAT A GOAAAL! Joaquín Tagliafico makes no mistake. 2-1.
90'With tiredness written all over them, the end of a story of nerves, fine details and plenty of physical football. It's being played with gritted teeth.
2 - 1AC Balvanera