Challenge

Estadio Nuevo Corona
Spectators: 43 (Terracing: 33, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Axel Tasis started the match with the kick off. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Gaston Rosio in the 6th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Benito Sanz saved Costa Rica from getting behind. 10 minutes into the match, Costa Rica's goal looked a bit too open when Salvador Tibalt came free, but Benito Sanz reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. MEXICO's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Honorato Gaitan in the 11th minute. It was a well-played corner which Geronimo Eladio managed to volley towards the net. Unfortunately, he didn't get a great hit on the ball and it went out into the grandstand. Through an outstanding action, after 15 minutes, Benito Sanz successfully got his hands on the ball before it slid into the goal at the right post. In the 16th match minute, Costa Rica was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Lautaro Puig to maneuver through the defense. The audience thought a goal was coming when Gaston Rosio got free with Benito Sanz in the 19th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. In the 22nd minute, Americo Jon left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The MEXICO fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-0. 28 minutes into the game, Aaron Alcocer cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-1. Björn Vanek was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. An unexpectedly hard shot by Gaston Rosio in the 34th minute of play forced Costa Rica's goalkeeper Benito Sanz to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 35th minute of the match MEXICO got a corner. Costa Rica's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Honorato Gaitan ran over to the corner to take the kick. The corner led MEXICO's Honorato Gaitan to fire away a dangerous shot which Benito Sanz despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. If Salvador Tibalt had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 37th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. With a little luck, Costa Rica's Benito Sanz got control of the ball when Americo Jon tried to sneak it across the goal line. The supporters of MEXICO booed when Costa Rica was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 45 match minutes in a wonderful position. Eliseo Noboa didn't get a good kick on the ball. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 2-1.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Gaston Rosio was the one to do the kick off. Alexander Carballo kicked well hit freekick during the 52nd minute of the match. Americo Jon recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 57th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. An unexpectedly hard shot by Eusebio Bazil in the 60th minute of play forced Costa Rica's goalkeeper Benito Sanz to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Björn Vanek made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Eliseo Noboa in the 65th minute of play. If Americo Jon had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 66th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. MEXICO's Vuyo Mandla was substituted for Honorato Gaitan. Juan Rubio charged in rather forcefully in the 69th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Juan Rubio the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Benito Sanz showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Gaston Rosio in the 72nd minute of the match. Benito Sanz made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Americo Jon in the 73rd minute of play. Benito Sanz took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Gaston Rosio, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. When MEXICO's Gaston Rosio in 76 game minutes managed to cut through with the ball in front of the goal, only having to shoot. Benito Sanz guarding the goal like a pit bull was extremely focused and managed to reach the ball just by the crossbar before it went in. In the 81st minute, Alfredo Loramendi hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Benito Sanz showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Gaston Rosio, who was totally free with the ball in the 85th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Gaston Rosio in the 87th minute of play forced Costa Rica's goalkeeper Benito Sanz to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 89th minute Vuyo Mandla shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Benito Sanz saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. When MEXICO's Gaston Rosio in the 92nd minute got a chance for a shot 92nd didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Costa Rica's goalie prevented a goal. After 94 played minutes Costa Rica got a freekick which was hit by Alan Moruga. There was no doubt that MEXICO were the better team. MEXICO's players enjoyed the ovations of the crowd after the victory.