Derby Day: It's What We Live For

fter shot.
 
On the other side, América’s Angel Reyna looks inspired. Partnering with Robert de Pinho and Enrique Esqueda upfront has been fruitless so far, but Reyna’s individual effort has brought his team close to scoring.
 
His excitement at times needs tapering, as his legs charge after the ball with blinding speed, only to leave it behind.
 
Despite the now chronic misses from both squads, and the fantastic interventions from both goalkeepers, there is that familiar feeling in the air. There will be a goal today.
 
Millions wonder…where will it come from?
 
Lucas Barrios answers the call. The Argentinian striker had slumped through this season, mirroring his team’s performance. Only 12 minutes have gone by when Barrios pierces Universidad’s net.
 
Barrios will do exactly the same 21 minutes later, and Colo-Colo jumps out to a 2-0 lead. The crowd is stunned. If only for this first half, the defending champions look more like their usual selves and not like a team only a few points away from the bottom of the table.
 
Universidad fights back with a couple of good chances, but come away with nothing. The first half is nearing its end, and once again—a derby match is defying logic. Universidad’s success this season had been prompted by a solid defense and cohesive play upfront.
 
Those things have all but disappeared today.
 
The first half ends. The teams drift into the dressing room, the home crowd goes quiet, and there’s 15 minutes of discussion for both managers and their players.
 
Eagerly, both teams fire back onto the pitch.
 
Boca Juniors have definitely made their presence felt in the opening 45 minutes, but have nothing to show for it.
 
River’s insistence on cutting down Boca’s offense has definitely been made easier without Juan Román Riquelme prowling about, but River have done little to further their own attack.
 
River’s back line is bending instead of breaking, but that elasticity is coming to grips with an increasing force. The home crowd feels it, they push their beloved xeneizes on and sooner, rather than later, there is more danger to report.
 
The eternal Martin Palermo gets a hold of one and punctures his rival’s net. The stadium is a madhouse, and Boca is now just a half hour away from taking the 184th battle in an endless war.
 
River Plate reacts. The manager sends on two substitutions that push toward a more offensive style. They take effect almost immediately, with one of the subs, Diego Buonanotte, winning a dangerous free kick in the 67th minute.
 
One minute later, former PSG player and River idol Marcelo Gallardo lines up his shot. It soars over the wall and Boca goalkeeper Pato Abbondanzieri adorns the play with his leap, but can do nothing else.
 
We are tied after 68 minutes.
 
But not a minute after, thanks to Guadalajara’s Sergio Amaury Ponce. Sneaking behind América’s distracted back line, he rockets a header past Mexico’s first-choice goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa in the box.
 

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