Challenge

Bombonera Stadium
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Joel Gaona started the match with the kick off. After a rather tough play, La Candela FC's Luis Medero got a free kick in the 4th minute. In the 6th minute, Nahuel Molina hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 9th minute Rubén-Darío Feldmann shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Dante Lacasa saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Joel Gaona sent away a hard shot on goal in the 11th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. After 13 played minutes La Candela FC got a freekick which was hit by Walter Samuel. The audience thought a goal was coming when Rubén-Darío Feldmann got free with Dante Lacasa in the 16th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Ruben Sánchez showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Alberto Tafalla in the 19th minute of the match. Ruben Sánchez showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Lautaro Mancebo in the 21st minute of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Alberto Tafalla in the 22nd minute of play forced La Candela FC's goalkeeper Ruben Sánchez to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. When La Candela FC's Martin Palermo in the 27th minute got a chance for a shot 27th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Mexico's goalie prevented a goal. Martin Palermo blasted a shot towards the goal in the 28th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Dante Lacasa having to make a save. Ruben Sánchez showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Alberto Tafalla, who was totally free with the ball in the 32nd minute. Ruben Sánchez made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Luca Zorita in the 38th minute of play. 41 minutes into the match, Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Rubén-Darío Feldmann. After 43 minutes, Nahuel Molina mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the La Candela FC and the Mexico players grew even worse after the yellow card. The supporters of Mexico booed when La Candela FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 43 match minutes in a wonderful position. Nahuel Molina didn't get a good kick on the ball. Dante Lacasa stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Martin Palermo's shot from short distance in the 48th minute. 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 audience thought a goal was coming when Alberto Tafalla got free with Ruben Sánchez in the 59th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Ruben Sánchez made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Joel Gaona in the 64th minute of play. La Candela FC's Ruben Sánchez played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Joel Gaona in the 68th minute of play. Ruben Sánchez made an important save on a dangerous shot by Lautaro Mancebo in the 77th minute. Dante Lacasa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Martin Palermo in the 80th minute of play. Ruben Sánchez showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Alberto Tafalla in the 81st minute of the match. 83 minutes into the match, Mexico's goal looked a bit too open when Martin Palermo came free, but Dante Lacasa reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Ruben Sánchez showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Joel Gaona in the 87th minute of the match. La Candela FC's Ruben Sánchez proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 94th minute of the match, managed to save La Candela FC from getting a goal against them. Walter Samuel'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. Walter Samuel helped the player get up and apologised. A collision led to La Candela FC getting a freekick after 95 minutes play. Walter Samuel hit a great ball. When the referee blew the final whistle, you could see the dissatisfaction in the Mexico players' eyes. They were disappointed they hadn't taken more from the game.