Challenge

Wolves Arena
Spectators: 41 (Terracing: 32, Seating: 9, 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. Olimpiu Hârlău made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Alberto Tafalla in the 6th minute of play. Olimpiu Hârlău showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Lautaro Mancebo, who was totally free with the ball in the 11th minute. In the 14th minute, David Trăistaru hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. When the match had gone on for 15 minutes, Lautaro Mancebo put it in 0-1 from a short distance just to the right of Olimpiu Hârlău. Olimpiu Hârlău made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Alberto Tafalla in the 24th minute of play. Dante Lacasa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Yu Feng Xi, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 30 minutes into the match, Carpathian Wolves's goal looked a bit too open when Joel Gaona came free, but Olimpiu Hârlău reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 31st minute of the match Mexico got a corner. Carpathian Wolves'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. An unexpectedly hard shot by Lautaro Mancebo in the 34th minute of play forced Carpathian Wolves's goalkeeper Olimpiu Hârlău to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Through an outstanding action, after 40 minutes, Dante Lacasa successfully got his hands on the ball before it slid into the goal at the right post. Olimpiu Hârlău took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Joel Gaona, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Dante Lacasa was out of position in the 43 minute of play, and Timo Thorstein capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Timo Thorstein really showed his touch with that goal: 1-1. The supporters of Carpathian Wolves booed when Mexico was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 47 match minutes in a wonderful position. Luca Zorita didn't get a good kick on the ball. 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 Yu Feng Xi stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Mexico's Joel Gaona was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Olimpiu Hârlău in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. In the 54th minute, Mexico's Alberto Tafalla dribbled the ball into the box and hit a shot with the outside of his foot, sending the keeper the wrong way. 1-2. Alberto Tafalla struck a weak shot in the 57th minute. Olimpiu Hârlău didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Mexico. Mugur Timofte hit a great freekick 59 minutes into the match. Olimpiu Hârlău took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Luca Zorita, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 67 minutes into the match, Carpathian Wolves's goal looked a bit too open when Alberto Tafalla came free, but Olimpiu Hârlău reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Dante Lacasa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Romeo Ungheanu in the 69th minute of play. Olimpiu Hârlău made a fantastic save in the 72nd minute, when Lautaro Mancebo sent off a good shot on target. Joel Gaona received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 77th minute. Olimpiu Hârlău tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 86th minute Timo Thorstein 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. In the 90th minute Timo Thorstein 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. 92 minutes into the game, Lorenzo Cazalla 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 Carpathian Wolves the free kick. In the 92nd minute, Lorenzo Cazalla hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After 95 played minutes Mexico got a freekick which was hit by Facundo Cadaval. When the final whistle sounded Mexico left the ground with the victory after a much better performance than Carpathian Wolves.