Challenge

Bombonera Stadium
Spectators: 43 (Terracing: 33, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Martin Palermo in the 5th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Arnout Reekers prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Ruben Sánchez took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Wim Wilmes, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 11 minutes into the game, Netherlands's Wim Wilmes nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Ruben Sánchez made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-1. When Roberto Rogel came up free with the goalie in the 14th minute, the Magic is Back fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Roberto Rogel couldn't finish the play. Arnout Reekers made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Claudio Marangoni in the 20th minute of play. In the 27th minute David Eikelkamp shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Ruben Sánchez saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 31st minute, Magic is Back's Martin Palermo dribbled the ball into the box and hit a shot with the outside of his foot, sending the keeper the wrong way. 1-1. 39 minutes into the match, Magic is Back's goal looked a bit too open when Wim Wilmes came free, but Ruben Sánchez reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Ruben Sánchez showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Gustaaf Groeneveldt, who was totally free with the ball in the 40th minute. Arnout Reekers made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Sebastián Battaglia in the 41st minute of play. Arnout Reekers made an important save on a dangerous shot by Martin Palermo in the 43rd minute. After some fancy dribbling in the 44th minute, Claudio Marangoni managed to get in a good position for a shot. Magic is Back's supporters rose to their feet, but Claudio Marangoni was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Arnout Reekers breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. The supporters of Magic is Back booed when Netherlands was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 48 match minutes in a wonderful position. Lars Meesters didn't get a good kick on the ball. The supporters of Magic is Back booed when Netherlands was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 49 match minutes in a wonderful position. Lars Meesters didn't get a good kick on the ball. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

Gijsbert ter Kruimer sent away a hard shot on goal in the 55th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Lars Meesters scored 1-2 in the 58th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Ruben Sánchez, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. In the 64th minute, Sebastián Battaglia got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. 70 minutes into the match, Lars Meesters had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Ruben Sánchez. Magic is Back's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Lars Meesters was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-3. In the 73rd minute Gijsbert ter Kruimer shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Ruben Sánchez saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Wim Wilmes took the ball and in the 76 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Ruben Sánchez. Ruben Sánchez dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-4. In the 84th minute, Valentin Barco hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Ruben Sánchez made an important save on a dangerous shot by Gustaaf Groeneveldt in the 85th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Gijsbert ter Kruimer in the 93rd minute of play forced Magic is Back's goalkeeper Ruben Sánchez to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Netherlands's players went to the stands to thank the travelling support. The fan's backing had helped spurr the team on to a fine performance that won them the match.