Challenge

Estadio Nacional
Spectators: 47 (Terracing: 36, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Axel Tasis kicked off to start the match. 3 minutes into the match, Costa Rica's goal looked a bit too open when Alvaro Sforza came free, but Benito Sanz reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Alvaro Sforza scored 0-1 in the 7th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Benito Sanz, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. 12 minutes into the game, Alessio Odisio was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. AC Roma's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Costa Rica the free kick. Costa Rica made a substitution. Gerardo Montenegro replaced Aaron Alcocer. After 13 played minutes AC Roma got a freekick which was hit by Alessio Odisio. In the 17th minute, Alvaro Sforza made a precise shot to the right of Benito Sanz. Costa Rica's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 0-3. Benito Sanz made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Alvaro Sforza in the 24th minute of play. Alvaro Sforza took the ball and in the 29 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Benito Sanz. Benito Sanz dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 0-5. Alvaro Sforza sent away a hard shot on goal in the 33rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Benito Sanz showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Alvaro Sforza in the 36th minute of the match. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Javier Della Francesca in the 40th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Benito Sanz saved Costa Rica from getting behind. Benito Sanz took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Alvaro Sforza, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. AC Roma's Javier Della Francesca got a good chance for a goal in the 43rd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Alvaro Sforza to make the kick off. After 53 minutes of play, AC Roma's Alvaro Sforza made it 0-6 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Benito Sanz was left in no man's land by his defense there! After some fancy dribbling in the 56th minute, Alvaro Sforza managed to get in a good position for a shot. AC Roma's supporters rose to their feet, but Alvaro Sforza was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Benito Sanz breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. The audience was convinced that Javier Della Francesca's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Benito Sanz was relentless in the 62nd minute of the game. 63 minutes into the game, Alvaro Sforza recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Benito Sanz. Alvaro Sforza showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 0-7. In the 66th match minute, AC Roma was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Angelo Donati to maneuver through the defense. Benito Sanz was a little too slow when Alvaro Sforza got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 69th minute. The score was now 0-8. In the 72nd minute, Alvaro Sforza reached a very good position and smashed the ball with a huge effort into the net, just to the left of Benito Sanz. The goal made the score 0-9. After having played for 75 minutes, Alvaro Sforza managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. AC Roma's supporters crossed their fingers, but Alvaro Sforza was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 76th match minute, Costa Rica was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Eliseo Noboa to maneuver through the defense. AC Roma's Alvaro Sforza got a good chance for a goal in the 76th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Juan Rubio charged in rather forcefully in the 78th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Juan Rubio the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Juan Rubio kicked well hit freekick during the 78th minute of the match. Hugo Ferrant kicked well hit freekick during the 80th minute of the match. The supporters of AC Roma booed when Costa Rica was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 81 match minutes in a wonderful position. Alan Moruga didn't get a good kick on the ball. Cristoforo Brillante made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Eliseo Noboa in the 85th minute of play. 87 minutes into the game, Alvaro Sforza recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Benito Sanz. Alvaro Sforza showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 0-10. When the match was over AC Roma could go home with a victory in their luggage, having controlled the game far better than Costa Rica throughout the match.