Challenge

Estadio Azteca
Spectators: 45 (Terracing: 35, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Isidoro Beltran took the kick off in the first half of the match. Dante Lacasa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Mateo Mendez, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 6 minutes into the match, Mexico's goal looked a bit too open when Isidoro Beltran came free, but Dante Lacasa reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Joel Gaona in the 11th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Pepe Santoro prevented the ball from getting in the gole. In the 13th minute Alberto Tafalla shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Pepe Santoro saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After taking down the ball on Mexico's corner Alberto Tafalla fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Pepe Santoro quite easily take care of the ball. Lautaro Mancebo could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 22nd minute of the match, but Pepe Santoro made a huge save. After 23 minutes Independiente's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Joel Gaona who took care of the corner kick. After 27 minutes Independiente's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Joel Gaona who took care of the corner kick. The corner led Mexico's Joel Gaona to fire away a dangerous shot which Pepe Santoro despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. Independiente's Sören Bengtsson got a good chance for a goal in the 39th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Joel Gaona was the one to do the kick off. If Luca Zorita had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 57th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 60th minute Joel Gaona shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Pepe Santoro saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Jorg Pieters who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 63rdth minute tested the skills of Dante Lacasa when he managed to save the team from getting behind. After 68 played minutes, Mexico's Joel Gaona shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Pepe Santoro came through and got his fingers on the ball before it flew over the goal line. He then quickly gripped the ball tighter before the forwards in Mexico reached it. After having played for 69 minutes, Alberto Tafalla managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Mexico's supporters crossed their fingers, but Alberto Tafalla was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Pepe Santoro showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Joel Gaona, who was totally free with the ball in the 72nd minute. After 73 minutes Independiente's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Joel Gaona who took care of the corner kick. Independiente's Pepe Santoro played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Facundo Cadaval in the 75th minute of play. The audience thought a goal was coming when Jorg Pieters got free with Dante Lacasa in the 76th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Napoleon Dropinski during the 78th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Alberto Tafalla sent away a hard shot on goal in the 79th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. With a little luck, Mexico's Dante Lacasa got control of the ball when Jorg Pieters tried to sneak it across the goal line. Joel Gaona fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 83rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Pepe Santoro having to interfere. Lautaro Mancebo sent away a hard shot on goal in the 86th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The Independiente players were the happier at the end of the match as they had prevented Mexico from taking control. The game ends in a draw.