Friendly League

Taladro de Almagro
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Martin Palermo F.C.'s Nestor Lertxun 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. Eusebio Afonso might have been able to make a better finish in the 5th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Martín Izquierdo. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Eusebio Afonso ran back to his position shaking his head. If Nestor Lertxun had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 11th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Martín Izquierdo showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Zacarias Lauaxeta, who was totally free with the ball in the 14th minute. Benicio Izquierdo charged in rather forcefully in the 14th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Benicio Izquierdo the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. The supporters of Campeones del Mundo booed when Martin Palermo F.C. was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 15 match minutes in a wonderful position. Benicio Izquierdo didn't get a good kick on the ball. Benjamin Izquierdo hit a great freekick 20 minutes into the match. Campeones del Mundo's Zacarias Lauaxeta got a good chance for a goal in the 22nd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Jonatan Ubendu fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 26th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Martín Izquierdo having to interfere. In the 27th minute, Zacarias Lauaxeta made a precise shot to the right of Martín Izquierdo. Martin Palermo F.C.'s defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 0-1. If Zacarias Lauaxeta had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 30th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Martin Palermo F.C.'s Martín Izquierdo played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Jonatan Ubendu in the 32nd minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Eusebio Afonso in the 39th minute of play forced Martin Palermo F.C.'s goalkeeper Martín Izquierdo to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. When Grant Verga fell near the penalty area in the 40th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Campeones del Mundo's protests and gave Grant Verga a yellow card for diving instead. After 40 played minutes Campeones del Mundo got a freekick which was hit by Grant Verga. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-1 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Zacarias Lauaxeta to strike the kick off in the second half. Nestor Lertxun took the ball and in the 54 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Daniel Igon. Daniel Igon dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-1. Benicio Izquierdo's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Daniel Igon read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 58th minute of play. Martin Palermo F.C.'s attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Ubaldo Sanson in the 59th minute. The corner led Martin Palermo F.C.'s Ubaldo Sanson to fire away a dangerous shot which Daniel Igon despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. Daniel Igon didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Benjamin Izquierdo went, in the 64th minute, to the upper right corner, 2-1 was the resulting score. Daniel Igon showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Benicio Izquierdo, who was totally free with the ball in the 69th minute. Nestor Lertxun's late challenge caught a Campeones del Mundo's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Nestor Lertxun helped the player get up and apologised. Nestor Lertxun kicked well hit freekick during the 73rd minute of the match. If Zacarias Lauaxeta had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 76th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Martín Izquierdo made a fantastic save in the 78th minute, when Eusebio Afonso sent off a good shot on target. Siro Cordeiro hit a great freekick 86 minutes into the match. Ladislao Fraco received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 88th minute. Martín Izquierdo tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Martin Palermo F.C. were really happy, having secured the victory after a very even contest. They thanked the players of Campeones del Mundo for a fine match.