Challenge

Afrimesti Stadium
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. Nektarios Varveris showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Lautaro Mancebo in the 5th minute of the match. Dante Lacasa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Irinel Tatomir, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 7th minute, Basarab Vărzaru hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. An unexpectedly hard shot by Facundo Cadaval in the 9th minute of play forced ★RO★ Afrimesti FC 2007's goalkeeper Nektarios Varveris to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 13th minute of the match Mexico got a corner. ★RO★ Afrimesti FC 2007'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 16 played minutes ★RO★ Afrimesti FC 2007 got a freekick which was hit by Sandu Condeescu. Nektarios Varveris made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Lautaro Mancebo in the 17th minute of play. In the 18th minute Luca Zorita shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Nektarios Varveris saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Lucrețiu Ghimiș's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Dante Lacasa read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 22nd minute of play. Dante Lacasa showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Irinel Tatomir, who was totally free with the ball in the 24th minute. 25 minutes into the match, ★RO★ Afrimesti FC 2007's goal looked a bit too open when Alberto Tafalla came free, but Nektarios Varveris reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Facundo Cadaval in the 28th minute of play forced ★RO★ Afrimesti FC 2007's goalkeeper Nektarios Varveris to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 29 minutes into the game, Mexico's Lautaro Mancebo nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Nektarios Varveris made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-1. If Alberto Tafalla had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 38th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The referee felt a red card was in order, 42 minutes into the game, when Facundo Cadaval put in a rough tackle. 41 minutes into the game, one of Mexico:s players got tackled near the goal, and the referee blew for a penalty. In the 49th minute of the match Mexico got a corner. ★RO★ Afrimesti FC 2007'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 a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Irinel Tatomir stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Lucrețiu Ghimiș fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 57th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Dante Lacasa having to interfere. 59 minutes into the game, Mexico's Alberto Tafalla nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Nektarios Varveris made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-2. Dante Lacasa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Irinel Tatomir, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Irinel Tatomir scored 2-2 in the 81st match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Dante Lacasa, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. In the 86th minute of the match, Lautaro Mancebo got a very nice opportunity to score, but Nektarios Varveris was well-placed and pushed the ball away from the goal at the left post. Luca Zorita sent away a hard shot on goal in the 90th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After some fancy dribbling in the 96th minute, Lautaro Mancebo managed to get in a good position for a shot. Mexico's supporters rose to their feet, but Lautaro Mancebo was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Nektarios Varveris breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Mexico were unable to convert their possession into goals, allowing ★RO★ Afrimesti FC 2007 to leave the ground with a draw.