Challenge

Estadio Nacional
Spectators: 45 (Terracing: 35, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Costa Rica's Axel Tasis started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Lautaro Puig could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 5th minute of the match, but Alberigo Cavallaro made a huge save. After 11 played minutes Atletico Roma got a freekick which was hit by Carlo Sartori. Axel Tasis didn't quite understand what happened when in the 12 minute of the game managed to get a great opportunity for a goal and then missed the goal by a feet. Lautaro Puig recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 18th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. In the 19th minute the ball was on its way in behind Atletico Roma's goalkeeper Alberigo Cavallaro, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Costa Rica's Benito Sanz played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Cosimo Liberti in the 22nd minute of play. If Eliseo Noboa had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 25th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Atletico Roma's Alberigo Cavallaro proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 27th minute of the match, managed to save Atletico Roma from getting a goal against them. Benito Sanz took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Edoardo Campitelli, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. An unexpectedly hard shot by Cosimo Liberti in the 33rd minute of play forced Costa Rica's goalkeeper Benito Sanz to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 36th minute, Costa Rica's Eliseo Noboa dribbled the ball into the box and hit a shot with the outside of his foot, sending the keeper the wrong way. 1-0. After 40 played minutes Atletico Roma got a freekick which was hit by Carlo Sartori. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 1-0 at half-time.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Cosimo Liberti to strike the kick off in the second half. Alexander Carballo hit a great freekick 51 minutes into the match. After 53 minutes, Alan Moruga mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Costa Rica and the Atletico Roma players grew even worse after the yellow card. Cosimo Liberti took the ball and in the 54 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 1-1. When Juan Rubio fell near the penalty area in the 58th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Costa Rica's protests and gave Juan Rubio a yellow card for diving instead. Atletico Roma made a substitution. Fulvio De Rubeis replaced Dave Cavallo. The supporters of Atletico Roma booed when Costa Rica was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 60 match minutes in a wonderful position. Juan Rubio didn't get a good kick on the ball. After 63 played minutes Atletico Roma got a freekick which was hit by Beppe Di Cintio. 66 minutes into the match, Costa Rica's goal looked a bit too open when Cosimo Liberti came free, but Benito Sanz reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After a rather tough play, Costa Rica's Eliseo Noboa got a free kick in the 67th minute. Benito Sanz acted impressively in front of the goal and made a superb save when he, in the 68th minute, took the ball on the long shot from Franco Placidi. A collision led to Atletico Roma getting a freekick after 69 minutes play. Edoardo Campitelli hit a great ball. In the 70th minute, Beppe Di Cintio hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Carlo Sartori hit a great freekick 74 minutes into the match. In the 78th minute Axel Tasis shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Alberigo Cavallaro saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Axel Tasis 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. 82 minutes into the match, Atletico Roma's goal looked a bit too open when Axel Tasis came free, but Alberigo Cavallaro reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. When Atletico Roma's Cosimo Liberti in the 87th minute got a chance for a shot 87th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Costa Rica's goalie prevented a goal. After having played for 91 minutes, Edoardo Campitelli managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Atletico Roma's supporters crossed their fingers, but Edoardo Campitelli was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Ciro Rosini's late challenge caught a Costa Rica's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Ciro Rosini helped the player get up and apologised. Ciro Rosini hit a great freekick 93 minutes into the match. 96 minutes into the match, Atletico Roma's goal looked a bit too open when Lautaro Puig came free, but Alberigo Cavallaro reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Jeers came from both ends of the stadium when the final whistle went. Neither team had looked impressive and the draw seeemd a fair result.