Challenge

Gazprom Arena
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) In the 8th minute, Håkan Kjellman hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 11 minutes into the match, Mexico's goal looked a bit too open when Peter Snell came free, but Dante Lacasa reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Zafer Hürsel made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Alberto Tafalla in the 18th minute of play. 22 minutes into the match, Mexico's goal looked a bit too open when Emanuel Emander came free, but Dante Lacasa reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Dante Lacasa showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Emanuel Emander, who was totally free with the ball in the 24th minute. In the 27th minute Lautaro Mancebo shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Zafer Hürsel saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Joel Gaona made in the 31st minute of the game a quick throw-in and Alberto Tafalla immediately put the ball in play. Joel Gaona's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Zafer Hürsel read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 32nd minute of play. If Emanuel Emander had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 33rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 35th minute of the game Joel Gaona made a throw-in which Lautaro Mancebo played forward. Zafer Hürsel had in the 39thth minute some difficulties stopping Joel Gaona's well aimed penalty as it nearly passed him on his left side, but he still managed to hold the ball. 0-1 came in the 39th minute when Joel Gaona all by himself managed to get straight through the defense and place the ball into the net to the right of Zafer Hürsel. In the 47th minute, Lautaro Mancebo left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Mexico fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 0-2.

The wind increased when Joel Gaona made the kick off in the second half. Joel Gaona fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 56th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Zafer Hürsel having to interfere. After a rather tough play, FC Zenit Saint Petersburg's Peter Snell got a free kick in the 59th minute. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Håkan Kjellman in the 62nd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Dante Lacasa saved Mexico from getting behind. Zafer Hürsel took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Alberto Tafalla, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 73rd 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. Mexico's Dante Lacasa played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Håkan Kjellman in the 77th minute of play. Zafer Hürsel made an important save on a dangerous shot by Lautaro Mancebo in the 85th minute. FC Zenit Saint Petersburg's Zafer Hürsel played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Luca Zorita in the 93rd minute of play. After taking down the ball on Mexico's corner Joel Gaona fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Zafer Hürsel quite easily take care of the ball. If Håkan Kjellman had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 96th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. The Mexico players were relieved to hear the final whistle blow to end the match. The away crowd was happy to see their team win after a very tight game.