Caldas and Academica played out a 2-2 draw in a club friendly on Thursday, with both sides trading blows before a late penalty shootout ended in stalemate. The match finished 2-2 after extra time, with neither team able to convert their spot-kicks.
By then, the pattern was clear enough. Caldas took the lead at the eighth minute, and Academica responded before the quarter-hour mark. And here's the thing — he watches the whole match and remembers minute twenty, when Academica struck again to take control. Caldas levelled at thirty, setting up a tense finish.
Extra time added little excitement until the final moments. Academica won a penalty at ninety-seven minutes and missed. Caldas replied with their own opportunity at ninety-two minutes into extra time and also failed to score. To be fair, both keepers had been tested enough during regular time to deserve some rest.
The statistics tell a story of even contest. Caldas registered 105 attacks to Academica's 109, with both sides winning four corners each. The hosts kept their discipline with just one yellow card, while the visitors showed more edge with three bookings.
The result leaves both teams searching for momentum ahead of their competitive campaigns. Caldas have shown vulnerability in attack despite creating chances, while Academica's inability to close out games continues a theme from their recent outings.