Challenge

Pedro Bidegain
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Lisandro Nuñez started the match with the kick off. SAN LORENZO FC's Dario Astigar played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Alberto Tafalla in the 13th minute of play. Mexico's Joel Gaona was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Dario Astigar in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. The supporters of Mexico booed when SAN LORENZO FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 16 match minutes in a wonderful position. Wen Lang Qing didn't get a good kick on the ball. After a defensive mix-up in Mexico's zone, Artur Quintas stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Dante Lacasa came out of the goal and Artur Quintas tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Dario Astigar showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Alberto Tafalla, who was totally free with the ball in the 24th minute. In the 25th minute, SAN LORENZO FC's Lisandro Nuñez ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Dante Lacasa. Dante Lacasa yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 1-1. Luca Zorita might have been able to make a better finish in the 34th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Dario Astigar. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Luca Zorita ran back to his position shaking his head. When Lautaro Mancebo came up free with the goalie in the 36th minute, the Mexico fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Lautaro Mancebo couldn't finish the play. Mexico's Dante Lacasa played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Lisandro Nuñez in the 41st minute of play. 43 minutes into the match, SAN LORENZO FC's goal looked a bit too open when Lautaro Mancebo came free, but Dario Astigar reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Lisandro Nuñez sent away a hard shot on goal in the 46th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The first half was very even, with the score at 1-1 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Joel Gaona to make the kick off. In the 52nd minute of the match, Joel Gaona tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Dario Astigar saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. In the 57th minute the ball was on its way in behind SAN LORENZO FC's goalkeeper Dario Astigar, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. The supporters of Mexico booed when SAN LORENZO FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 68 match minutes in a wonderful position. Lv Ang Jing didn't get a good kick on the ball. SAN LORENZO FC made a substitution. Isaias Rosario replaced Ernie Siegel. SAN LORENZO FC's Ciriaco Cordarrell was substituted for Lisandro Nuñez. If Joel Gaona had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 74th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. SAN LORENZO FC's Dario Astigar played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Luca Zorita in the 76th minute of play. It was a well-played corner which Facundo Cadaval managed to volley towards the net. Unfortunately, he didn't get a great hit on the ball and it went out into the grandstand. Lautaro Mancebo could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 79th minute of the match, but Dario Astigar made a huge save. Ciriaco Cordarrell fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 81st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Dante Lacasa having to interfere. SAN LORENZO FC's Dario Astigar proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 82nd minute of the match, managed to save SAN LORENZO FC from getting a goal against them. In the 83rd minute of the match, Joel Gaona tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Dario Astigar saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. Joel Gaona was really disappointed when he shot the ball just outside the right post instead of scoring a goal in the 87th minute. Mexico's manager could be seen on the sidelines shaking his head and muttering to himself as his team had just wasted another chance. 89 minutes into the match, Mexico's Luca Zorita sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Dario Astigar narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Lv Tian Yuan kicked well hit freekick during the 91st minute of the match. After having played for 96 minutes, Joel Gaona managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Mexico's supporters crossed their fingers, but Joel Gaona was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. The final whistle blew with the score still tied, and both teams left the pitch thinking about the missed chances that could have given their team the win.