Challenge

Crystal Arena
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Carlos-Armando Valderrama hit a great freekick 5 minutes into the match. 10 minutes into the match, Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Carlos-Armando Valderrama. Joel Gaona recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 12th 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 Carlos-Armando Valderrama in the 14th minute of play forced Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. He Lin Di's late challenge caught a Mexico's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. He Lin Di helped the player get up and apologised. He Lin Di kicked well hit freekick during the 16th minute of the match. Marcos Lama made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Alberto Tafalla in the 21st minute of play. Joel Gaona fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 22nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Marcos Lama having to interfere. Lautaro Mancebo fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 24th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Marcos Lama having to interfere. 28 minutes into the match, Veth Crystals's goal looked a bit too open when Joel Gaona came free, but Marcos Lama reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Marcos Lama made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Joel Gaona in the 28th minute of play. Carlos-Armando Valderrama in the 34thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Dante Lacasa, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. 36 minutes into the match, Mexico's goal looked a bit too open when Erik Persson came free, but Dante Lacasa reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Joel Gaona sent away a hard shot on goal in the 43rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The first half was very even, with the score at 0-0 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

The wind increased when Joel Gaona made the kick off in the second half. Carlos-Armando Valderrama kicked well hit freekick during the 50th minute of the match. Joel Gaona fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 53rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Marcos Lama having to interfere. Dante Lacasa showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from He Lin Di in the 56th minute of the match. Marcos Lama took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Joel Gaona, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 61st minute, Facundo Cadaval made a precise shot to the right of Marcos Lama. Veth Crystals's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 0-1. The audience thought a goal was coming when Joel Gaona got free with Marcos Lama in the 64th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Luca Zorita kicked well hit freekick during the 67th minute of the match. Veth Crystals's Nedas Jameikis was substituted for Alejandro Bullon. Veth Crystals's Sebastian Wierzchowski was substituted for He Lin Di. An unexpectedly hard shot by Gwidon Patora in the 69th minute of play forced Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 72nd match minute, Veth Crystals was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Nedas Jameikis to maneuver through the defense. After recieving a nice pass, Mexico's Joel Gaona tried to score from far away in the 73rd minute, but the ball went over the crossbar. Dante Lacasa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Erik Persson in the 74th minute of play. Marcos Lama made a fantastic save in the 78th minute, when Joel Gaona sent off a good shot on target. An unexpectedly hard shot by Gwidon Patora in the 83rd minute of play forced Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After having played for 86 minutes, Luca Zorita managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Mexico's supporters crossed their fingers, but Luca Zorita was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Joel Gaona charged in rather forcefully in the 91st minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Joel Gaona the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. In the 91st match minute, Mexico was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Joel Gaona to maneuver through the defense. Marcos Lama made a fantastic save in the 93rd minute, when Lautaro Mancebo sent off a good shot on target. When the match was over Mexico could go home with a victory in their luggage, having controlled the game far better than Veth Crystals throughout the match.