Challenge

Lokomоtiv
Spectators: 43 (Terracing: 33, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Mexico's Joel Gaona started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. In the 4th minute Mexico were awarded a corner. Joel Gaona went to the cornerflag to take it. Mexico's Luca Zorita was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Krum Nikolchov in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. After 4 minutes, Luca Zorita made it 0-1 with a short kick to the right side. Lokomotiv Plovdiv's Krum Nikolchov tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. Joel Gaona recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 10th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Macos Graciani kicked well hit freekick during the 16th minute of the match. Krum Nikolchov stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Lautaro Mancebo's shot from short distance in the 18th minute. When Lautaro Mancebo got free in front of the goal in the 18th minute he wasn't very focused and chipped the ball just over the goal. Krum Nikolchov was delighted since he was out of position and the ball would have got in if it had gone under the crossbar. In the 21st minute of the game Macos Graciani made a throw-in which Joel Gaona played forward. Hélder Lago kicked well hit freekick during the 23rd minute of the match. Joel Gaona scored 1-2 in the 24th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Krum Nikolchov, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. When Lautaro Mancebo came up free with the goalie in the 31st minute, the Mexico fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Lautaro Mancebo couldn't finish the play. Dante Lacasa made a fantastic save in the 33rd minute, when Facundo Nazario sent off a good shot on target. Joel Gaona might have been able to make a better finish in the 36th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Krum Nikolchov. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Joel Gaona ran back to his position shaking his head. After 37 played minutes Mexico got a freekick which was hit by Macos Graciani.

If Facundo Nazario had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 52nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Dante Lacasa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Facundo Nazario, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 55 minutes in the game Macos Graciani did a throw-in, and the ball was quickly in game thanks to Facundo Cadaval. 57 minutes into the game, Mexico's Alberto Tafalla nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Krum Nikolchov made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-3. A collision led to Lokomotiv Plovdiv getting a freekick after 60 minutes play. Simon Wells hit a great ball. Lokomotiv Plovdiv made a substitution. Slavyan Zanev replaced Jordi Alba. Doncho Sarachev sent away a hard shot on goal in the 66th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Krum Nikolchov showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Luca Zorita, who was totally free with the ball in the 70th minute. If Joel Gaona had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 73rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 76 minutes into the match, Joel Gaona notched a goal, 1-4, to the right of Lokomotiv Plovdiv's Krum Nikolchov. Krum Nikolchov was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Dante Lacasa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Facundo Nazario in the 79th minute of play. 86 minutes into the match, Joel Gaona notched a goal, 1-5, to the right of Lokomotiv Plovdiv's Krum Nikolchov. Krum Nikolchov was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. After a defensive mix-up in Lokomotiv Plovdiv's zone, Alberto Tafalla stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Krum Nikolchov came out of the goal and Alberto Tafalla tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. When the match was over Mexico could go home with a victory in their luggage, having controlled the game far better than Lokomotiv Plovdiv throughout the match.