Terrassa claimed a narrow victory away to San Juan in the Round of 32 of the Federation Cup, winning 0:1 on Tuesday evening. The result came after extra time, with the decisive moment arriving in the 97th minute when A. Celma found the net. It was enough to see the visitors through to the next stage.
The goal itself was a moment of patience rather than brilliance. Terrassa had been waiting for an opening, and when it came, Celma punished them from a corner. The ball dropped into the box and he was there to finish, stretching the back line that had held firm for 90 minutes. By then, you could sense the tension lifting for one side and mounting for the other.
San Juan threw bodies in the way after they went behind, but could not find an equaliser. They had their chances — five shots on target in total — but Terrassa's goalkeeper kept his heads when it mattered most. The hosts pressed forward, but the away end never stopped keeping them at bay.
To be fair, the statistics tell you what the eye saw. Terrassa dominated possession at 0.62 to 0.38 and registered 154 attacks against 120. They also had more shots on target — eight compared to five — yet the scoreline barely reflects the gap. Many shots with one goal means chances went begging, and that was the story here.
San Juan's recent form had looked steady enough, with victories over Acanse Escabate and Ingenio in their last five games. But Tuesday showed they struggle when teams control the tempo. Terrassa, meanwhile, ground out the win after a mixed run that included a heavy 0:1 defeat to Ejea earlier.
The victory moves Terrassa into the Round of 16, where they will face whoever emerges from the other draw. For San Juan, it is another exit to add to the ledger — this one decided by a single moment in extra time, nothing more, nothing less.