League

Marcelo Bielsa
Spectators: 7191 (Terracing: 5395, Seating: 1653, VIP seats: 143) Newells Old Boys's Saturnino Gitano started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. If Saturnino Gitano had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 5th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Ermegildo Esquipula recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 8th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Nereo Xabat took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Marciano Gabon, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After 12 played minutes Córdoba United FC got a freekick which was hit by Celedonio Napier. In the 20th minute the ball was on its way in behind Newells Old Boys's goalkeeper Nereo Xabat, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Nereo Xabat made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Rodolfo Guipuzkoa in the 24th minute of play. When Saturnino Gitano came up free with the goalie in the 25th minute, the Newells Old Boys fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Saturnino Gitano couldn't finish the play. Marciano Gabon might have been able to make a better finish in the 29th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Nereo Xabat. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Marciano Gabon ran back to his position shaking his head. If Rodolfo Guipuzkoa had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 31st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After having played for 34 minutes, Celedonio Napier managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Córdoba United FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Celedonio Napier was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. After some fancy dribbling in the 38th minute, Ermegildo Esquipula managed to get in a good position for a shot. Newells Old Boys's supporters rose to their feet, but Ermegildo Esquipula was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Silvestre Etxekopar breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. In the 40th match minute, Córdoba United FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Celedonio Napier to maneuver through the defense. With an all-out effort, Newells Old Boys's Silvestre Etxekopar threw himself towards the right post 41 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Saturnino Gitano, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. Saturnino Gitano succeeded to score despite a near miss that spronge from right pole into the goal to 1-0 in the 41st playminute. 47 minutes into the game, Benito Sabin was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Córdoba United FC's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Newells Old Boys the free kick. Af the end of the first half the score was 1-0. The first half had gone as expected for the home team.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Rodolfo Guipuzkoa was the one to do the kick off. Nereo Xabat stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Rodolfo Guipuzkoa's shot from short distance in the 53rd minute. Rodolfo Guipuzkoa fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 56th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Nereo Xabat having to interfere. If Saturnino Gitano had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 58th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Marciano Gabon struck a weak shot in the 61st minute. Nereo Xabat didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Córdoba United FC. If Rodolfo Guipuzkoa had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 62nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 64th match minute, Newells Old Boys was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Elpidio Cordareo to maneuver through the defense. Marciano Gabon sent away a hard shot on goal in the 71st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. If Rodolfo Guipuzkoa had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 72nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After 78 minutes, Dante Sindo mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Córdoba United FC and the Newells Old Boys players grew even worse after the yellow card. Ermegildo Esquipula received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 80th minute. Silvestre Etxekopar tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Ermegildo Esquipula sent away a hard shot on goal in the 85th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. An unexpectedly hard shot by Ermegildo Esquipula in the 91st minute of play forced Córdoba United FC's goalkeeper Silvestre Etxekopar to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Rodolfo Guipuzkoa received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 94th minute. Nereo Xabat tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Marciano Gabon sent away a hard shot on goal in the 98th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The crowd rose to their feet and cheered when the referee blew the final whistle. Newells Old Boys had won after a very even match.