Challenge

La Bombonera
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Daniel Zorita made the kick off and thus started the match. Julio Vera showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Melchor Rosio in the 4th minute of the match. Sergio Romero showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Cristian Sancho, who was totally free with the ball in the 5th minute. 6 minutes into the game, Benigno Eriz was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Sporting de Gijón's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Ecuador the free kick. A collision led to Sporting de Gijón getting a freekick after 6 minutes play. Benigno Eriz hit a great ball. 13 minutes into the match, Sporting de Gijón's goal looked a bit too open when Cristian Sancho came free, but Sergio Romero reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Benigno Eriz fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 14th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Julio Vera having to interfere. Sporting de Gijón's Sergio Romero played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Luis Andino in the 17th minute of play. Ecuador were awarded a corner in the 18th minute after Sporting de Gijón's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Daniel Zorita took the corner. The corner led Ecuador's Luis Andino to fire away a dangerous shot which Sergio Romero despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. With a little luck, Ecuador's Julio Vera got control of the ball when Melchor Rosio tried to sneak it across the goal line. Sergio Romero made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Cristian Sancho in the 22nd minute of play. Sergio Romero showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Daniel Zorita, who was totally free with the ball in the 23rd minute. Benigno Eriz kicked well hit freekick during the 27th minute of the match. Cristian Sancho fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 28th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Sergio Romero having to interfere. In the 30th minute Luis Andino shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Sergio Romero saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Sergio Romero showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Daniel Zorita in the 41st minute of the match. In the 46th minute Cristian Sancho shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Sergio Romero saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After a rather tough play, Ecuador's Agustín Saelices got a free kick in the 47th minute. In the 49th minute, Agustín Saelices hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 0-0 after a close first half.

Sporting de Gijón's Sergio Romero proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 53rd minute of the match, managed to save Sporting de Gijón from getting a goal against them. The audience thought a goal was coming when Cristian Sancho got free with Sergio Romero in the 54th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Luis Andino hit a great freekick 57 minutes into the match. Sergio Romero made an important save on a dangerous shot by Cristian Sancho in the 61st minute. Sergio Romero made an important save on a dangerous shot by Daniel Zorita in the 62nd minute. After 67 played minutes Sporting de Gijón got a freekick which was hit by Norberto Iliana. In the 68th minute of the match Daniel Zorita sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Sergio Romero skillfully saved the ball. The crowd rose to their feet as Ecuador's Daniel Zorita slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Sergio Romero. That made the score 0-1 after 69 minutes of play. In the 72nd minute, Sporting de Gijón's goalie took a deep sigh of relief after Cristian Sancho fired away a hard shot that went just outside the left post. The crowd rose to their feet as Daniel Zorita kicked a wonderful shot that went in to the left of a diving Sergio Romero. That made the score 0-2 in the 79 minute of play. Sporting de Gijón's Timoteo Eguntsenti was substituted for Angel Di Maria. In the 85th match minute, Sporting de Gijón was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Válter Nogueira to maneuver through the defense. Felix Montenegro sent away a hard shot on goal in the 89th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After having played for 90 minutes, Cristian Sancho managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Ecuador's supporters crossed their fingers, but Cristian Sancho was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Elpidio Bixintxo struck a weak shot in the 92nd minute. Julio Vera didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Sporting de Gijón. With a little luck, Sporting de Gijón's Sergio Romero got control of the ball when Daniel Zorita tried to sneak it across the goal line. After 95 minutes, Marcos-Alberto Rojo mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Sporting de Gijón and the Ecuador players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 95th match minute, Sporting de Gijón was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Marcos-Alberto Rojo to maneuver through the defense. Sergio Romero took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Cristian Sancho, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 97th play minute Cristian Sancho came free and shot an unsuspected shot which went into goal from the right pole behind a surprised Sergio Romero. 0-3.