Challenge

Arena Atlanta
Spectators: 39 (Terracing: 30, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Serafim de Carvalho made the kick off and thus started the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Hector Covarrubias in the 8th minute of play forced Atlanta United F.C.'s goalkeeper Mané França to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After a rather tough play, Paraguay's Jaime Pardo got a free kick in the 11th minute. Paraguay's Jacobo Nores proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 12th minute of the match, managed to save Paraguay from getting a goal against them. Fábio Castro who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 20thth minute tested the skills of Jacobo Nores when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Joel Leite sent away a hard shot on goal in the 21st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Daniel da Fonseca charged in rather forcefully in the 27th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Daniel da Fonseca the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. In the 27th match minute, Atlanta United F.C. was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Daniel da Fonseca to maneuver through the defense. Hector Covarrubias recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 29th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. In the 30th minute, Jaime Pardo 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. In the 41st minute Joel Leite shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Jacobo Nores saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. All the noise was coming from the home fans when the whistle went for half-time. The home team had fought hardest to put themselves in a deserved lead.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Jaime Pardo to strike the kick off in the second half. 52 minutes into the game, Hector Covarrubias recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Mané França. Hector Covarrubias showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 1-1. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Fábio Castro during the 56th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. A collision led to Atlanta United F.C. getting a freekick after 56 minutes play. Fábio Castro hit a great ball. In the 57th minute, Fabinho Salgado hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After a defensive mix-up in Atlanta United F.C.'s zone, Jaime Pardo stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Mané França came out of the goal and Jaime Pardo tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After having played for 63 minutes, Primitivo Escribano managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Paraguay's supporters crossed their fingers, but Primitivo Escribano was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. A throw-in in the 67th minute of the game was made by Joel Leite with Fábio Castro as target, who quickly passed the ball forward. Fábio Castro got his second yellow card in the match during the 68th minute which meant that he had to leave the ground. After a rather tough play, Atlanta United F.C.'s Fábio Castro got a free kick in the 69th minute. Serafim de Carvalho received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 72nd minute. Jacobo Nores tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. If Serafim de Carvalho had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 91st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Hector Covarrubias charged in rather forcefully in the 95th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Hector Covarrubias the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. In the 95th minute, Hector Covarrubias hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Paraguay were disappointed that they only managed a draw, even though they felt themselves to be the better team.