AA Villa del Parque Reserva2 - 1Club Monte Castro

Villa del Parque Reserve took a win of the sort that really lifts a side. It beat Monte Castro 2-1 on the pitch at Acoyte, in a match where neither team gave an inch, where both 4-4-2 line-ups looked to keep their balance without giving up ground easily. The home side had more of the ball at key moments and knew how to make the most of things when chances came knocking. The visitors never gave up, but in the end individual differences carried more weight than good intentions.

Liam Munarriz was the undisputed star of the match. The 25-year-old attacking midfielder, brought up in those neighbourhoods where football is the only way out that doesn't cost an entrance fee, scored two goals that settle any fixture. His presence in the attacking third was constant, his passing opened up rival defences, and when he had to finish, he did so with the precision of someone who learned to play with what was to hand. With a rating of 8.4, Munarriz was the absolute main man in Villa del Parque's attacking play. Alongside him, Augusto Riquelme, the 18-year-old rising prospect out on the right wing, provided the dynamism the home side needed to create an advantage on the flanks. Left-back Franco Zuccarelli, another youngster of just 17 and of Paraguayan origin, had a tricky defensive job but got through it without major scares.

At the back, Tomás Strozzi remained assured between the posts. The 25-year-old goalkeeper did not have to make any impossible saves, but dealt calmly with the ones that did come his way. Meanwhile, Vito Pratto in central defence was an indefatigable worker, the sort of centre-half who feels the game owes him something every time he jumps for an aerial ball. His 7.2 rating reflects a solid performance in the tackle and in covering spaces.

For Monte Castro, Cristian Piotrowski pulled one back with a goal that keeps the visitors alive right to the end. The 23-year-old striker was the main attacking outlet for the side that came from the south side of the city, and although his team could not find an equaliser, his contribution up front earns credit. Tincho Ávila, the 22-year-old centre-half who provided the assist for the consolation goal, was another who ran and put himself about, though he picked up a yellow card that made life harder for him towards the end. The 6.2 rating fits a match where he did what he could but lacked precision.

It was one of those matches won by the side that executes better, not by the side that plays better. Villa del Parque had that: execution. Munarriz put his signature on both goals and that was enough. Monte Castro left with their heads held high but no points in the bag. In Primera L of GBA Sur, at this stage of the tournament, differences like these matter.

In the last 2 meetings between AA Villa del Parque Reserva and Club Monte Castro: 0 wins for AA Villa del Parque Reserva, 0 draws and 2 for Club Monte Castro.

• AA Villa del Parque Reserva 0-2 Club Monte Castro
• Club Monte Castro 1-0 AA Villa del Parque Reserva

Full AA Villa del Parque Reserva vs Club Monte Castro head-to-head →

AA Villa del Parque Reserva (4-4-2): Tomás Strozzi, Franco Zuccarelli, Simón Villafañe, Vito Pratto, Adrián Ferreira, Tiziano Fernández, Coco Cazón, Yanis Cabrera, Augusto Riquelme, Gonzalo Ruiz, Liam Munarriz.

Club Monte Castro (4-4-2): Franco Barbano, Miguel Escalante, Tincho Ávila, Adriano Giménez, Gabi Benassi, Javier Troncon, Rafael Mira, Andrés Lara, Emanuel Lobos, Yoel Pollini, Cristian Piotrowski.

In Primera L - GBA Sur, AA Villa del Parque Reserva are in position 6 with 44 points; Club Monte Castro are in position 8 with 42 points. See the full table

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AA Villa del Parque Reserva, with 1,676 fans. Home ground: Estadio AA Villa del Parque Reserva.

Club Monte Castro, with 1,842 fans. Home ground: Estadio Club Monte Castro.

Next match for AA Villa del Parque Reserva: vs su proximo rival — Sunday 1 November at 01:00 GMT

Next match for Club Monte Castro: vs su proximo rival — Sunday 1 November at 01:00 GMT