1'After the final team talk, the ball is in play; the team look for that first safe pass down the right.
5'The opponent waste time, catch their breath and try to kill the momentum. The next one could be decisive.
6'The home side manage the ball with real authority, shifting the away side from side to side.
9'The the away side press bites through the middle; the home side start to lose their clarity. This game calls for calm heads.
13'The the home side block sets up high; this is risky, but it's ambitious too.
14'The home side put the game to sleep in the inside channel, trying to tempt the away side out of their shell. It's being played with gritted teeth.
15'Miguel Messi drives forward into open space and a teammate bursts down the side.
17'The away side move it about sensibly, with Mario Jimenez as the side's compass.
18'Tempers flaring a little: a heavy foul and several players come over to argue.
18'🟨 Yellow card for Noé Cardozo; the referee draws the line. The team are in a much better position after that.
20'A set piece could unlock this one: corner to the away side.
25'The the away side press bites down by the corner flag; the home side start to lose their clarity. This one could go either way.
26'Alexis Tossi arrives late and brings down a the opponent player; foul, no real argument. It's being played with gritted teeth.
27'The away side manage the ball street-football style, shifting the home side from side to side. You can see the work done on the training ground this week.
29'🎯 Mario Jimenez runs at goal and shapes to shoot...
29'...hits it with his left foot...
29'Mario Jimenez hits it from distance and the ball goes looking for the net. Nothing is settled yet.
31'The home side make life hard for themselves with a sloppy pass around the D.
33'The ball is doing the rounds: the away side are in no rush, letting the attack simmer slowly.
35'The home side make life hard for themselves with a sloppy pass down the left.
37'Mistake in the the away side build-up; the home side win it back and have space to hurt them.
40'The home side put the game to sleep down the left, trying to tempt the away side out of their shell.
41'...hits it with his left foot...
41'The home side end the move with an effort that demands attention.
41'🎯 Pepe Marchetti runs at goal and shapes to shoot...
42'The keeper and the opposing defender get their wires crossed; that nearly became a collector's-item blooper.
43'The defender commits a foul just as a teammate was starting to break clear.
44'Ariel Rebollo arrives late and brings down a the opponent player; foul, no real argument. There's a lot riding on this.
46'With plenty to put right, whistle and the break; the feeling is that the best is still to come. Time to look forward now.
47'Horacio Carballo darts in behind and Cristian Bastianelli plays the striker in with a superb ball.
48'Patricio Allende jumps out to press and squeezes the pitch as if by remote control.
49'The opponent hang on as best they can; every clearance is cheered like half a goal. There's still a game on here.
54'The away side make life hard for themselves with a sloppy pass in the final third.
56'The crowd drive them on and the team respond with more intensity.
57'The home side manage the ball with all the know-how, shifting the away side from side to side.
58'Facundo Michel hits it from distance and the ball goes looking for the net.
59'The home side can't get near the ball; the away side keep it from them patiently.
60'Mariano Cano cuts the passing lane and starves the the away side attack of oxygen.
61'The home side manage the ball with real authority, shifting the away side from side to side. The fine details told.
65'🛡️ The defence clears the danger and keeps the ball.
68'The the home side press bites right in front of the dugouts; the away side start to lose their clarity.
70'The home side manage the ball with an extra gear, shifting the away side from side to side. The home side are in a much better position after that.
71'Effort from a teammate down the left; it whistled past and left everyone with the shout stuck in their throats.
74'The away side manage the ball with good sense, shifting the home side from side to side. Time to look forward now.
75'The away side try to play out from the back, but the home side swarm all over them as a unit. Nothing is settled yet.
78'🛡️ The defence clears the danger and keeps the ball.
80'The ball moves safely between the the away side shirts; what's missing is a bit of pace in the final third.
81'Alexis Tossi cuts the passing lane and starves the the away side attack of oxygen.
82'The home side manage the ball street-football style, shifting the away side from side to side.
84'The home side were trying to thread it through, but Ariel Rebollo closed the door.
85'The away side move it about sensibly, with Horacio Carballo as the side's compass.
86'The away side manage the ball with all the know-how, shifting the home side from side to side. Adjustments are on the way.
89'The home side can't get near the ball; the away side keep it from them patiently.
90'Amid applause and shared frustration, the final whistle brings relief for some, frustration for others. The weather is playing its part.
FC Escalada