Challenge

Lusail
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) In the 4th minute Facundo Cadaval shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Dibag Martinez saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 5th minute of the match Mexico got a corner. La Scaloneta's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Joel Gaona ran over to the corner to take the kick. After taking down the ball on Mexico's corner Joel Gaona fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Dibag Martinez quite easily take care of the ball. If Lautaro Mancebo had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 11th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Dante Lacasa made an important save on a dangerous shot by Lautaro Martinez in the 13th minute. 14 minutes into the match, La Scaloneta's goal looked a bit too open when Alberto Tafalla came free, but Dibag Martinez reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. With a little luck, Mexico's Dante Lacasa got control of the ball when Lautaro Martinez tried to sneak it across the goal line. 19 minutes into the match, La Scaloneta's goal looked a bit too open when Lautaro Mancebo came free, but Dibag Martinez reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Alberto Tafalla received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 20th minute. Dibag Martinez tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 26th match minute, La Scaloneta was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Lautaro Martinez to maneuver through the defense. Lautaro Mancebo struck a weak shot in the 27th minute. Dibag Martinez didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Mexico. After 28 played minutes Mexico got a freekick which was hit by Luca Zorita. Luca Rouco kicked well hit freekick during the 40th minute of the match. After 41 played minutes La Scaloneta got a freekick which was hit by Lautaro Martinez. Joel Gaona received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 44th minute. Dibag Martinez tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 46th minute Lautaro Mancebo shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Dibag Martinez saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. A collision led to La Scaloneta getting a freekick after 47 minutes play. Lion Messi hit a great ball. 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.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Joel Gaona was the one to do the kick off. In the 53rd minute of the match, Lautaro Mancebo got a very nice opportunity to score, but Dibag Martinez was well-placed and pushed the ball away from the goal at the left post. 58 minutes into the game, Joel Gaona recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Dibag Martinez. Joel Gaona showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 0-2. A collision led to Mexico getting a freekick after 60 minutes play. Luca Rouco hit a great ball. Dante Lacasa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Lion Messi in the 63rd minute of play. Dibag Martinez made a fantastic save in the 69th minute, when Alberto Tafalla sent off a good shot on target. In the 69th minute, Mexico's Alberto Tafalla ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Dibag Martinez. Dibag Martinez yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 0-3. In the 75th minute, Joel Gaona 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. The audience thought a goal was coming when Lautaro Mancebo got free with Dibag Martinez in the 80th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. 82 minutes into the match, La Scaloneta's goal looked a bit too open when Joel Gaona came free, but Dibag Martinez reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Lautaro Martinez charged in rather forcefully in the 90th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Lautaro Martinez the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After a rather tough play, La Scaloneta's Lautaro Martinez got a free kick in the 90th minute. When the match was over Mexico could go home with a victory in their luggage, having controlled the game far better than La Scaloneta throughout the match.