1'On an afternoon of huge anticipation, and we're off: the team come out with intent, the opponent sit deep and organised, and the story begins to unfold.
6'The home side are camped in the opposition half and force them to kick it out.
14'Benjamín Acosta collects between the centre-backs after a pass that split the pitch in two. The story is only just beginning.
15'⚡ Ivo Santoro surges down the wing dangerously...
15'...Ivo Santoro reaches the byline and shapes to cross...
15'...whips the cross into the box...
15'...Julian Cardozo beats the defender in the air...
15'⚽ ⚽ THE PLACE ERUPTS! GOOOOAL! Julian Cardozo makes no mistake. 1-0.
16'The game hits a plateau: lots of battling, little clarity.
18'The away side move it about sensibly, with Ignacio Flores as the side's compass.
19'🎯 Coco Vargas runs at goal and shapes to shoot...
19'...hits it with his left foot...
19'Coco Vargas unleashes a left-footer; the keeper flies across and can only watch it go by.
20'Tiziano Dybala takes charge of midfield and brings a bit of order to the chaos. The dressing room will have the final say.
21'Eric Chamorro thinks a step ahead and finds Tiziano Ortega in the hot zone. The result will give everyone plenty to chew on.
22'🎯 Julian Cardozo carries the ball forward...
22'...shapes to shoot from outside the box...
22'Julian Cardozo tries one from range, powerful, but lacking direction. You can see the work done on the training ground this week.
23'The away side manage the ball without giving it away, shifting the home side from side to side.
24'Interception by the home side through the middle; good pressure and even better reading of the game.
25'The home side move it about sensibly, with Benjamín Acosta as the side's compass.
30'The team end the move with an effort that demands attention.
32'The away side can't get near the ball; the home side keep it from them patiently.
35'The ball is doing the rounds: the away side are in no rush, letting the attack simmer slowly.
36'🎯 Coco Vargas carries the ball forward...
36'...shapes to shoot from outside the box...
36'Coco Vargas strikes it first time and leaves the opponent gasping for air.
37'The home side move it about sensibly, with Luis Bastianelli as the side's compass. Tactical awareness is counting for more and more.
39'Roberto Aizpurúa protests, but the foul was pretty clear.
43'The home side win it back near the opposition box; a clear sign of the high press.
45'The away side launch a textbook counter-attack, the kind the gaffer drills all week long.
46'Half-time here; the scoreline doesn't tell the whole story.
48'Coco Vargas arrives late and brings down a the opponent player; foul, no real argument.
48'🟨 Fair booking: Coco Vargas was late and left a mark.
49'The the away side press bites in the danger zone; the home side start to lose their clarity.
51'The ball is doing the rounds: the away side are in no rush, letting the attack simmer slowly. The weather is playing its part.
52'The away side have the ball, but the home side close the spaces as best they can.
53'🛡️ The defence clears the danger and keeps the ball.
54'Possession belongs to the home side, although for now there's no real bite around the box. This game calls for calm heads.
56'A teammate chases down the keeper, the crowd get right behind it and the home side are rushed.
59'Aníbal Mansilla fires it across goal; the ball goes out kissing the post. It's being played with gritted teeth.
60'Iván Esposito takes charge of midfield and brings a bit of order to the chaos.
62'🎯 Ivo Santoro carries the ball forward...
62'...shapes to shoot from outside the box...
62'Ivo Santoro fires it across goal; the ball goes out kissing the post. You can feel the tension from early on.
66'Andrés Molina arrives late and brings down a the opponent player; foul, no real argument.
66'🟨 Andrés Molina protests too much and picks up an avoidable yellow.
69'The home side manage the ball with first-time touches, shifting the away side from side to side.
71'🛡️ The defence clears the danger and keeps the ball.
76'The away side try to play out from the back, but the home side swarm all over them as a unit. There's a lot riding on this.
77'The opponent waste time, catch their breath and try to kill the momentum. Two passes, open space and a dagger to the heart.
80'⚡ Benjamín Acosta wins it in his own half and breaks at speed...
80'...the counter is lethal, Benjamín Acosta runs the length of the pitch...
80'...slips in Ivo Santoro, who has arrived through the middle...
80'...Ivo Santoro finishes first time...
80'⚽ ⚽ GOOOOOAL! GOAL, GOAL, GOAL! Up pops Ivo Santoro to score, over the keeper, a delightful chip. 2-0.
82'Effort from a teammate in the final third; it whistled past and left everyone with the shout stuck in their throats.
90'The end of a story of nerves, fine details and plenty of physical football. Time to look forward now.
2 - 0
Club Atlético Monte Castro