Challenge

Nilton Santos
Spectators: 41 (Terracing: 32, 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. Joel Gaona started the match with the kick off. The crowd rose to their feet as Sandrinho Hoffmann kicked a wonderful shot that went in to the left of a diving Dante Lacasa. That made the score 1-0 in the 4 minute of play. Estrela Solitária's Benjamim Dante played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Luca Zorita in the 7th minute of play. Benjamim Dante showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Lautaro Mancebo in the 11th minute of the match. Dante Lacasa made an important save on a dangerous shot by Sandrinho Hoffmann in the 12th minute. When Mexico's Alberto Tafalla in the 19th minute got a chance for a shot 19th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Estrela Solitária's goalie prevented a goal. 20 minutes into the match, Estrela Solitária's goal looked a bit too open when Lautaro Mancebo came free, but Benjamim Dante reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 20th minute, Lautaro Mancebo ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Benjamim Dante was frozen by the shot and now it was 1-1. In the 25th minute Lautaro Mancebo shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Benjamim Dante saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Joel Gaona made a great header on Mexico's corner, it was just that Estrela Solitária's Benjamim Dante managed to reach the ball for a save. Lautaro Mancebo recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 29th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Benjamim Dante took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Joel Gaona, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 44th minute Alberto Tafalla shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Benjamim Dante saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Sandrinho Hoffmann could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 46th minute of the match, but Dante Lacasa made a huge save.

Estrela Solitária made a substitution. Gerd Müller replaced Sandrinho Hoffmann. When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Dudu Meira made a kick off. Lautaro Mancebo recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 51st minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Leonardo Leoz made in the 54th minute of the game a quick throw-in and Lautaro Mancebo immediately put the ball in play. Benjamim Dante made an important save on a dangerous shot by Alberto Tafalla in the 55th minute. After a rather tough play, Estrela Solitária's Dudu Meira got a free kick in the 56th minute. Gerd Müller recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 58th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. 73 minutes into the match, Estrela Solitária's goal looked a bit too open when Joel Gaona came free, but Benjamim Dante reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The corner led Mexico's Lautaro Mancebo to fire away a dangerous shot which Benjamim Dante despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. After a defensive mix-up in Estrela Solitária's zone, Joel Gaona stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Benjamim Dante came out of the goal and Joel Gaona tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. 81 minutes into the match, Estrela Solitária's Gerd Müller sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Dante Lacasa narrowly saved just below the crossbar. With a little luck, Estrela Solitária's Benjamim Dante got control of the ball when Alberto Tafalla tried to sneak it across the goal line. Felix Luque hit a great freekick 83 minutes into the match. After having played for 90 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. The supporters of Mexico booed when Estrela Solitária was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 91 match minutes in a wonderful position. Willian Gaúcho didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 93rd minute, Facundo Cadaval 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: 1-3. The away crowd were delighted with the way their team had played and cheered loudly when the final whistle sounded. Mexico walked away with the win, even though the match was close until the end.