Challenge

Lusail
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) La Scaloneta's Lionel Messi started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Leo Asteri made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Gijsbert ter Kruimer in the 4th minute of play. Arnout Reekers stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Lionel Messi's shot from short distance in the 5th minute. After some fancy dribbling in the 11th minute, Gustaaf Groeneveldt managed to get in a good position for a shot. Netherlands's supporters rose to their feet, but Gustaaf Groeneveldt was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Leo Asteri breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. After a defensive mix-up in La Scaloneta's zone, Wim Wilmes stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Leo Asteri came out of the goal and Wim Wilmes tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Leandro Paredes could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 17th minute of the match, but Arnout Reekers made a huge save. 19 minutes into the game, Lars Meesters cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-1. Leo Asteri was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Wim Wilmes might have been able to make a better finish in the 23rd minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Leo Asteri. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Wim Wilmes ran back to his position shaking his head. Leo Asteri made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Lars Meesters in the 28th minute of play. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Gustaaf Groeneveldt in the 30th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Leo Asteri saved La Scaloneta from getting behind. When Gustaaf Groeneveldt, who was free, got the in front of the goal in the 30 minute he wasn't focused and tipped the ball just over the goal. The Leo Asteri was delighted since the ball would have got in if it had gone under the crossbar. Wim Wilmes received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 38th minute. Leo Asteri tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Alexis MacAlister during the 43rd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 43rd match minute, La Scaloneta was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Alexis MacAlister to maneuver through the defense. 47 minutes into the match, La Scaloneta's goal looked a bit too open when Gijsbert ter Kruimer came free, but Leo Asteri reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After the first half Netherlands were leading 0-1. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Gijsbert ter Kruimer was the one to do the kick off. Leo Asteri showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Gijsbert ter Kruimer in the 52nd minute of the match. Leo Asteri made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Gijsbert ter Kruimer in the 58th minute of play. Gustaaf Groeneveldt's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Leo Asteri read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 62nd minute of play. Through an outstanding action, after 63 minutes, Leo Asteri successfully got his hands on the ball before it slid into the goal at the right post. Wim Wilmes's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Leo Asteri read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 64th minute of play. With a little luck, La Scaloneta's Leo Asteri got control of the ball when Gustaaf Groeneveldt tried to sneak it across the goal line. In the 68th minute Netherlands were awarded a corner. Gijsbert ter Kruimer went to the cornerflag to take it. The corner led Netherlands's Gijsbert ter Kruimer to fire away a dangerous shot which Leo Asteri despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Wim Wilmes in the 79th minute of play forced La Scaloneta's goalkeeper Leo Asteri to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After some fancy dribbling in the 82nd minute, Wim Wilmes managed to get in a good position for a shot. Netherlands's supporters rose to their feet, but Wim Wilmes was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Leo Asteri breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. La Scaloneta made a substitution. Ángel-Fabián Di María replaced Leandro Paredes. In the 92nd minute of the match Netherlands got a corner. La Scaloneta's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Gijsbert ter Kruimer ran over to the corner to take the kick. The corner went over the outstretched arms of La Scaloneta's goalie and right to Egbert Nijveldt. He fired away a shot at goal, but the shot had too much spin, and it went just outside the goal. La Scaloneta's manager breathed a sigh of relief on the sidelines as his team had managed to escape an almost certain goal. The supporters of La Scaloneta booed when Netherlands was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 95 match minutes in a wonderful position. Gijsbert ter Kruimer didn't get a good kick on the ball. When the match was over Netherlands could go home with a victory in their luggage, having controlled the game far better than La Scaloneta throughout the match.