U21 World League

La Bombonera
Spectators: 7637 (Terracing: 5729, Seating: 1756, VIP seats: 152) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Benjamin Herrera took the kick off in the first half of the match. In the 3rd minute, Ernesto Minichiello hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Tadeo Laurgain made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Alberigo Gianfrancesco in the 13th minute of play. Fabio Simonetti was astounded when the referee showed him the red card after a seemingly innocent challenge, 16 minutes into the match. Armando Polidori came out of the goal in the 17th minute to try and stop a shot by Defensores de Lombroso's Pelle Haglund. But to his dismay, Pelle Haglund quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 1-0. After 22 played minutes Benjamin Herrera rounded XMAS's defense and shot a beautiful shot into goal via left pole - 2-0. In the 26th minute, Ernesto Minichiello hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Benjamin Herrera sent away a hard shot on goal in the 28th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. An unexpectedly hard shot by Benjamin Herrera in the 37th minute of play forced XMAS's goalkeeper Armando Polidori to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Defensores de Lombroso's Tadeo Laurgain played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Ernesto Minichiello in the 40th minute of play. Ramon Bortzaioriz kicked well hit freekick during the 41st minute of the match. After having played for 42 minutes, Dave Barillari managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. XMAS's supporters crossed their fingers, but Dave Barillari was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Pelle Haglund hit a great freekick 44 minutes into the match. Defensores de Lombroso made a substitution. Jacobo Avellaneda replaced Santiago Hunfredo. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 2-0.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Ernesto Minichiello to make the kick off. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Benjamin Herrera in the 56th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Armando Polidori prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Armando Polidori stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Benjamin Herrera's shot from short distance in the 56th minute. Tadeo Laurgain showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Ernesto Minichiello in the 57th minute of the match. After some careless play in the XMAS defense, Benjamin Herrera kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Armando Polidori. The XMAS fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Armando Polidori should have stopped the shot. The audience was convinced that Benjamin Herrera's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Armando Polidori was relentless in the 73rd minute of the game. In the 74thth minute of the game Benjamin Herrera who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but XMAS's Armando Polidori was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Ernesto Minichiello in the 78th minute of play forced Defensores de Lombroso's goalkeeper Tadeo Laurgain to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Ernesto Minichiello could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 80th minute of the match, but Tadeo Laurgain made a huge save. Benjamin Herrera sent away a hard shot on goal in the 81st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Defensores de Lombroso's Apolo Herena was substituted for José Luis Cucciufo. An unexpectedly hard shot by Natal Quintanilla in the 85th minute of play forced XMAS's goalkeeper Armando Polidori to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After 86 minutes XMAS's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Pelle Haglund who took care of the corner kick. The corner led Defensores de Lombroso's Pelle Haglund to fire away a dangerous shot which Armando Polidori despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. The supporters of Defensores de Lombroso booed when XMAS was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 94 match minutes in a wonderful position. Dave Barillari didn't get a good kick on the ball. Apolo Herena hit a great freekick 95 minutes into the match. XMAS's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.