2023-07-13, 06:09 PM - Word count:
Getting matched up against Buenos Aires in the SSL Cup is scary enough, but going into the 2nd leg down 4-2 is even worse. That’s the reality that Reykjavik faced this week. They had their backs against the wall and had a lofty task ahead of them if they wanted to find a way to advance.
The only thing really going for Reykjavik was that they were playing the 2nd leg at home and they managed 2 away goals, so if they could find a way to even up the aggregate, they may advance. That’s all fine until Buenos Aires opens the scoring 1 minute in. The task ahead just became that much more difficult. However, there was fight left in the team, and they pressed hard to start the game and they managed to take a 3-2 lead heading into the 2nd half. It’s not ideal, as they still needed to score 2 more goals to advance, or 1 more to at least take the game to extra time.
The 2nd half started with an early goal from Mikko Rashford, tying the aggregate up and making the last 40 minutes a brand new game. The teams were very tense, and you could see it in their play. Finally, Rashford had a ball drop to him and he was able to bury it in the 65th minute to take a 5-2 lead! Once that went in, Reykjavik seemed to take it easy a little bit, trying to defend and suffocate the game out but Buenos Aires wasn’t having it. They pressed and pressed, missed great chances and almost tied the game up a few times. Corners in the last couple of minutes of the game made people hold their breath, but Reykjavik was able to clear the ball and win the game 5-2, advancing on aggregate 7-6! A miraculous comeback, and a wonderful match for any fans of the game!
The only thing really going for Reykjavik was that they were playing the 2nd leg at home and they managed 2 away goals, so if they could find a way to even up the aggregate, they may advance. That’s all fine until Buenos Aires opens the scoring 1 minute in. The task ahead just became that much more difficult. However, there was fight left in the team, and they pressed hard to start the game and they managed to take a 3-2 lead heading into the 2nd half. It’s not ideal, as they still needed to score 2 more goals to advance, or 1 more to at least take the game to extra time.
The 2nd half started with an early goal from Mikko Rashford, tying the aggregate up and making the last 40 minutes a brand new game. The teams were very tense, and you could see it in their play. Finally, Rashford had a ball drop to him and he was able to bury it in the 65th minute to take a 5-2 lead! Once that went in, Reykjavik seemed to take it easy a little bit, trying to defend and suffocate the game out but Buenos Aires wasn’t having it. They pressed and pressed, missed great chances and almost tied the game up a few times. Corners in the last couple of minutes of the game made people hold their breath, but Reykjavik was able to clear the ball and win the game 5-2, advancing on aggregate 7-6! A miraculous comeback, and a wonderful match for any fans of the game!
