Challenge

Estadio Azteca
Spectators: 45 (Terracing: 35, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) FC STEAUA BRAILA's Korneliusz Kocieniewski 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. Korneliusz Kocieniewski's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Dante Lacasa read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 2nd minute of play. The audience thought a goal was coming when Lautaro Mancebo got free with Aron Hârțan in the 5th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Aron Hârțan showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Joel Gaona in the 7th minute of the match. Joel Gaona scored 1-1 in the 7th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Aron Hârțan, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Dante Lacasa showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Nicolae Buciu in the 10th minute of the match. In the 15th minute Korneliusz Kocieniewski shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Dante Lacasa saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 16th match minute, FC STEAUA BRAILA was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Bruno Riccardi to maneuver through the defense. Aron Hârțan showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Luca Zorita, who was totally free with the ball in the 19th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Alberto Tafalla in the 22nd minute of play forced FC STEAUA BRAILA's goalkeeper Aron Hârțan to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Mexico were awarded a corner in the 23th minute after FC STEAUA BRAILA's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Joel Gaona took the corner. Aron Hârțan had in the 25thth minute some difficulties stopping Joel Gaona's well aimed penalty as it nearly passed him on his left side, but he still managed to hold the ball. In the 26th minute, Alberto Tafalla 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: 2-1. Luca Zorita fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 29th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Aron Hârțan having to interfere. Maurício Corrêa received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 32nd minute. Dante Lacasa tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Joel Gaona's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Aron Hârțan read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 37th minute of play. Aron Hârțan made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Alberto Tafalla in the 38th minute of play. In the 39th minute Joel Gaona shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Aron Hârțan saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Aron Hârțan came out of the goal in the 39th minute to try and stop a shot by Mexico's Joel Gaona. But to his dismay, Joel Gaona quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 3-1. Darwin Núñez hit a great freekick 43 minutes into the match. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 3-1 at half-time.

In the 52nd minute Mexico were awarded a corner. Joel Gaona went to the cornerflag to take it. After taking down the ball on Mexico's corner Joel Gaona fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Aron Hârțan quite easily take care of the ball. When Lautaro Mancebo came up free with the goalie in the 54th 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. Dante Lacasa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Korneliusz Kocieniewski in the 56th minute of play. In the 58th minute the ball was on its way in behind FC STEAUA BRAILA's goalkeeper Aron Hârțan, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. In the 60th minute the ball was on its way in behind FC STEAUA BRAILA's goalkeeper Aron Hârțan, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. In the 62nd minute, Alberto Tafalla 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: 4-1. In the 65th minute the ball was on its way in behind FC STEAUA BRAILA's goalkeeper Aron Hârțan, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. 65 minutes into the match, Lautaro Mancebo notched a goal, 5-1, to the right of FC STEAUA BRAILA's Aron Hârțan. Aron Hârțan was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Alberto Tafalla received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 68th minute. Aron Hârțan tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. An unexpectedly hard shot by Lautaro Mancebo in the 72nd minute of play forced FC STEAUA BRAILA's goalkeeper Aron Hârțan to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Dante Lacasa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Darwin Núñez, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Mexico's Lautaro Mancebo got a good chance for a goal in the 76th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. In the 78th minute, Mihail Zbârlea hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Nicolae Buciu hit a great freekick 80 minutes into the match. Lautaro Mancebo recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 83rd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. 85 minutes into the game, FC STEAUA BRAILA's Korneliusz Kocieniewski nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Dante Lacasa made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 5-2. FC STEAUA BRAILA's Aron Hârțan played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Joel Gaona in the 89th minute of play. 92 minutes in the game, Lautaro Mancebo dribbled his way through the penalty area and after maneuvering past an opponent, drilled a quick shot at the goal. The ball looked like it was going in, but it was hit a bit too hard and flew over the goal. It was no surprise that this one had ended in a win for the home team. Mexico had played much better football throughout.