Argentino de Monte Maíz and Kimberley finished 0-0 in the first half of a tie that will be settled entirely in Mar del Plata. The opening leg of this new Federal A Reválida stage took place at the Modesto Marrone stadium and produced increasing tension, although neither side converted its favourable passages into a concrete advantage.
Carlos Mazzola's team took the initiative at the start. Tejada found room to participate and Argentino attempted to establish play near the opposing penalty area. Kimberley gradually balanced the contest through shape and circulation. A set piece delivered by Mañas ended with Ever Ullúa shooting narrowly wide, while Rodrigo Ríos also forced an intervention with a volley.
The incident that changed the match's structure occurred near half-time. The fourth official spotted an off-the-ball act of aggression by Gabriel Sarmiento and relayed the information to referee Fernando Marcos. The Argentino player was shown a red card, leaving the Córdoba club to contest the entire second half with ten men.
Mazzola reorganised the home side to protect the centre and retain an outlet. Dante Zona and Blangetti helped with that adjustment as Kimberley began controlling more territory. Numerical superiority did not produce a flood of opportunities: Facundo Russo fired over and goalkeeper Bonet had to intervene at a dangerous curling corner, but Argentino preserved the clean sheet through discipline.
The draw supports two readings. For Argentino, resisting for a full half while short-handed prevented the tie from becoming compromised before the trip. For Kimberley, failing to exploit that setting meant losing the chance to travel home with a lead. Mariano Mignini's team nevertheless retains a decisive regulatory benefit for the return match.
The second leg will be played at the José Alberto Valle stadium in Mar del Plata. Kimberley owns the sporting advantage earned through its earlier position, so any further draw sends it through. Argentino must win, regardless of the score. That asymmetry obliges the Córdoba club to propose and allows El Dragón to manage phases without abandoning attacking ambition.
The 0-0 was not an empty result but the construction of a maximum-pressure scenario for another ninety minutes. The dismissal, the home side's resistance and unused opportunities explain why both teams retain arguments and obligations. In Mar del Plata, Kimberley can advance with two types of result; Argentino must turn the resolve shown with ten men into the victory required to keep its campaign alive.
