Challenge

Kursk Arena
Spectators: 50 (Terracing: 38, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 1) Курск ФК's Andrey Denisov 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. Frutos Mallo took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Lautaro Mancebo, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 9 minutes into the match, Курск ФК's goal looked a bit too open when Joel Gaona came free, but Frutos Mallo reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 10th minute, Andrey Denisov fired away a shot on goal. He put a little to much spin on the ball and sent it just wide of the right post. In the 19th match minute, Mexico was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Macos Graciani to maneuver through the defense. Andrey Denisov blasted a shot towards the goal in the 20th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Dante Lacasa having to make a save. In the 20th minute Andrey Denisov 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. 23 minutes into the match, Курск ФК's Andrey Denisov sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Dante Lacasa narrowly saved just below the crossbar. 24 minutes had been played when some careless play by Mexico's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Leonid Bubnov was slow to take the kick. During this time Курск ФК's players had a chance to rest. The corner went over the outstretched arms of Mexico's goalie and right to Filimon Tarasov. He fired away a shot at goal, but the shot had too much spin, and it went just outside the goal. Mexico's manager breathed a sigh of relief on the sidelines as his team had managed to escape an almost certain goal. An unexpectedly hard shot by Lautaro Mancebo in the 28th minute of play forced Курск ФК's goalkeeper Frutos Mallo to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 33rd minute Joel Gaona shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Frutos Mallo saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Joel Gaona made a great header on Mexico's corner, it was just that Курск ФК's Frutos Mallo managed to reach the ball for a save. An unexpectedly hard shot by Andrey Denisov in the 36th minute of play forced Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 36thth minute of the game Andrey Denisov who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Mexico's Dante Lacasa was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. After 41 played minutes Mexico got a freekick which was hit by Macos Graciani. Frutos Mallo made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Lautaro Mancebo in the 46th minute of play. Lorenzo Cazalla hit a great freekick 47 minutes into the match. After having played for 48 minutes, Leonid Bubnov managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Курск ФК's supporters crossed their fingers, but Leonid Bubnov was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 1-0 at half-time.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Joel Gaona stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Taras Baranov'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. Taras Baranov helped the player get up and apologised. Taras Baranov kicked well hit freekick during the 55th minute of the match. Frutos Mallo took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Joel Gaona, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Facundo Cadaval sent away a hard shot on goal in the 61st minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Andrey Denisov blasted a shot towards the goal in the 70th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Dante Lacasa having to make a save. Dante Lacasa showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Andrey Denisov in the 70th minute of the match. In the 71st minute the ball was on its way in behind Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. 80 minutes into the game, Macos Graciani threw the ball into play from the sideline. Курск ФК's Leonid Bubnov quickly snatched the ball and retained possesion. 82 minutes into the game, Macos Graciani was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Mexico's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Курск ФК the free kick. After 82 played minutes Mexico got a freekick which was hit by Macos Graciani. Курск ФК's Filipp Ilyin was substituted for Vasiliy Kulakov. Курск ФК's Boris Basalaev was substituted for Andrey Denisov. In the 83rd minute, Macos Graciani hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Курск ФК's Taras Baranov managed, thanks to a brazen rush, stole the ball on a throw-in made by Macos Graciani in the 85 minute of the game.