Challenge

Claudio D. Borghi
Spectators: 39 (Terracing: 30, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Bartlomiej Mosiniak could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 5th minute of the match, but Thiago Pliego made a huge save. The crowd rose to their feet as Argentinos Juniors's Sven de Zwaan slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Thiago Pliego. That made the score 1-0 after 8 minutes of play. Thiago Pliego stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Petruț Fințescu's shot from short distance in the 11th minute. Rigoberto Nazario made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Orlando Casaus in the 13th minute of play. Thiago Pliego showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Eleuterio Milian in the 15th minute of the match. Denis Mero fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 17th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Thiago Pliego having to interfere. With his leg Thiago Pliego managed to avoid a goal in the 19thth minute, when Argentinos Juniors's Sven de Zwaan fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. 21 minutes into the match, Chile's goalkeeper Thiago Pliego had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Sven de Zwaan. 24 minutes into the game, Denis Mero recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Thiago Pliego. Denis Mero showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 2-0. Mariano Lacasa sent away a hard shot on goal in the 27th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. The Argentinos Juniors fans' excitement grew in the 30th match minute when Argentinos Juniors's Petruț Fințescu looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 3-0 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. 33 minutes into the game, Mariano Lacasa cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 3-1. Rigoberto Nazario was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Mariano Lacasa blasted a shot towards the goal in the 44th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Rigoberto Nazario having to make a save. Af the end of the first half the score was 3-2. The first half had gone as expected for the home team.

Mariano Lacasa took the ball and in the 55 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Rigoberto Nazario. Rigoberto Nazario dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 3-3. In the 60th minute, Mariano Lacasa left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Chile fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 3-4. 63 minutes into the match, Chile's Mariano Lacasa sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Rigoberto Nazario narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Mariano Lacasa's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Rigoberto Nazario read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 64th minute of play. 66 minutes into the match, Chile's goal looked a bit too open when Petruț Fințescu came free, but Thiago Pliego reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Mariano Lacasa's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Rigoberto Nazario read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 67th minute of play. Mariano Lacasa's shot straight on target was not completely harmless. The ball had pretty good speed, but Rigoberto Nazario firmly grabbed it by the left post. 75 minutes into the match, Mariano Lacasa dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Rigoberto Nazario, 3-5. Argentinos Juniors's Rigoberto Nazario proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 79th minute of the match, managed to save Argentinos Juniors from getting a goal against them. Mariano Lacasa scored 3-6 in the 80th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Rigoberto Nazario, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. The referee blew the whistle for a penalty in the 83rd minute of the game. One of Chile:s players had nearly got his shirt torn off by an opponent while getting free in front of Argentinos Juniors:s goal. In the 86th minute there was a penalty for Argentinos Juniors. Sven de Zwaan stepped forward and shot the ball to the right of a diving Thiago Pliego. 4-6. Xavier Figueroa came free in the 89th minute and tried to tip the ball over Rigoberto Nazario, but to the joy of Argentinos Juniors's supporters the ball went over. In the 91st match minute, Argentinos Juniors was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Roberto Trotta to maneuver through the defense. 94 minutes had been played when some careless play by Argentinos Juniors's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Mariano Lacasa was slow to take the kick. During this time Chile's players had a chance to rest. The goalkeeper smacked the ball away after a great corner, but Xavier Figueroa advanced and headed the ball into goal, 4-7 in the 94th minute. Chile played a much better game than Argentinos Juniors and deserved their victory. The Argentinos Juniors players were clearly disappointed as they left the ground.