The point, given the way the match went, is worth its weight in gold. O’Higgins, who had gone 13 years without losing at the Sausalito stadium, added one more point to say that for the last 14 years they have always gotten results against Everton.
This time, it was a difficult match, because despite being a man up for most of the match after Lautaro Pastrán was sent off (23′), he was unable to find a footing on a slippery pitch due to the rain, but where the home team did improve their aim after a misfortune and a bad exit by Nicolás Peranic.
Of course, with Pastrán’s red card, the first change came. Diego Carreño, who started as a starter, had to leave because the kick from the former Belgrano player caused a cut that forced his exit. And then Peranic came in, hesitant at first, but in the last minutes of the game he was also key in not seeing his goal scored against again.
The first goal of the game was scored by Argentine Kevin Méndez, who in the sixth minute of added time in the first half, went to dispute a ball with the Rancagua goalkeeper – who did not come out in time – and managed to get his head in over the Argentine goalkeeper.
With the score at 1-0, Everton was left to just let the minutes go by, because in the second half O’Higgins brought them back. Seeing that the match was not going well for them, Víctor Fuentes went from the bench to get some refreshments so as not to leave empty-handed. With the speed of Joaquín Tapia and Yorman Zapata, plus the talent of Buonanotte, he forced the ruleteros to retreat, who, whenever they could, threw themselves to the ground to make the clock their best ally.
In addition, in the 65th minute, the match became even with the expulsion of Tapia, who slipped while fighting for a ball on the sideline, and with the fall he tackled an Everton player.
With 10 players per side, the game called for one more variation and that was Esteban Moreira’s. The youth player adjusted, entered the game with a focused approach, and appeared at the right moment.
In the 83rd minute, the action that Buonanotte started on the right, had the participation of Zapata with a cross from the left, the same “Dwarf” controlled and was left with the option to shoot, but he preferred to lift the ball to Moreira who was alone in front of the goal. The Rancagua native headed the ball and celebrated. The tie arrived, and what came after was only nervousness on both sides. In addition, Peranic paid for the error of 1-0 with a couple of key saves, otherwise, the gold and sky would have won the match.
A point that is certainly useful. O’Higgins remains ninth, with 23 points, and the next match will be even more important, as they will visit Palestino – Friday at 3pm – in La Cisterna where, with three points, they will be tied with the Arabs in the cup position. Winning there will be fundamental.
WHAT THE PARTY LEFT
After the match, coach Víctor Fuentes said at a press conference that, in the process, “the game became more complicated for us when Everton was down to one man. We gave them the ball and made a lot of mistakes. That is self-criticism.”
He also said that “we fought against a team with good players and we were able to get a point,” and that “we have to think that we got a point when we were losing until the last minute.”
The players, for their part, expressed their feelings after the draw. “We have to take the positive, we had a good second half and we could have gotten the equaliser,” said captain Juan Fuentes.
Meanwhile, Yorman Zapata said that “it was a very difficult game,” but that the result “is not bad, we were coming from behind on the scoreboard and it is positive for the group, because we did not lose.”
Diego Buonanotte added that “the important thing is that we got a point, but as I said, we can’t miss the attitude. We live from this, it’s our passion, you play well or badly, but that can’t be negotiated in this team,” and that “I feel that the group is committed and we’re going to fight.”
Match sheet
Everton (1): Coach: Esteban Solari.
O’Higgins (1): Coach: Victor Fuentes.
Referees: Nicolas Gamboa, Manuel Marin, John Calderon, Francisco Soriano.
WAS: Victor Abarzua, Wladimir Munoz.
Cautioned: Fuentes, Diaz (OHI).
Driven out: 23′, Lautaro Pastrán (EVE); 65′, Joaquín Tapia (OHI).
Goals: 1-0, 45’+6′, Mendez; 1-1, 83′, Moreira.
Estadio: Sausalito, Vina del Mar.
Public: 409 viewers.
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