Challenge

Jorge Luis Hirschi
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's Elpidio Francis 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. Dante Lacasa made an important save on a dangerous shot by Elpidio Francis in the 3rd minute. After a defensive mix-up in ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's zone, Alberto Tafalla stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Branislav Velchevski came out of the goal and Alberto Tafalla tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Luca Zorita kicked well hit freekick during the 7th minute of the match. 10 minutes into the match, Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Elpidio Francis. ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's Branislav Velchevski played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Joel Gaona in the 11th minute of play. Mexico were awarded a corner in the 12th minute after ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Joel Gaona took the corner. 14 minutes into the match, Mexico's goal looked a bit too open when Elpidio Francis came free, but Dante Lacasa reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Dante Lacasa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Elpidio Francis, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 18th minute the ball was on its way in behind ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's goalkeeper Branislav Velchevski, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. In the 22nd minute the ball was on its way in behind Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. 31 minutes into the match, Mexico's goal looked a bit too open when Elpidio Francis came free, but Dante Lacasa reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Joel Gaona in the 33rd minute of play forced ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's goalkeeper Branislav Velchevski to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 35 minutes into the match, ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's goal looked a bit too open when Alberto Tafalla came free, but Branislav Velchevski reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 38 minutes into the match, Mexico's goal looked a bit too open when Elpidio Francis came free, but Dante Lacasa reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 39th minute Joel Gaona shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Branislav Velchevski saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After 46 minutes ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Joel Gaona who took care of the corner kick. A collision led to ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA getting a freekick after 48 minutes play. Bonifacio Suarez hit a great ball. Mexico's Joel Gaona took a good shot, in the 49th minute, which hit the crossbar above Branislav Velchevski's head, and flew over the goal. ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's manager was very thankful on the sidelines as his team had managed to keep the ball out of the net after some serious pressure by Mexico. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

An unexpectedly hard shot by Joel Gaona in the 56th minute of play forced ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's goalkeeper Branislav Velchevski to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's Arnaldo Gabon got a good chance for a goal in the 60th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA made a substitution. André Monclús replaced Elpidio Francis. In the 62nd match minute, ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Arnaldo Gabon to maneuver through the defense. In the 67th minute Joel Gaona shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Branislav Velchevski saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by André Monclús during the 68th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. André Monclús hit a great freekick 68 minutes into the match. After 70 played minutes Mexico got a freekick which was hit by Lorenzo Cazalla. Esteban Iztal took a chance and fired a shot far from the goal in the 71st minute, but it turned out to be a dangerous situation for Dante Lacasa. Mexico's goalkeeper really had to stretch himself to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. Luca Zorita received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 73rd minute. Branislav Velchevski tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Mexico's Dante Lacasa played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Arnaldo Gabon in the 75th minute of play. The corner led to ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's Olle Snell getting away a dangerous shot that went just outside the goal. A collision led to Mexico getting a freekick after 81 minutes play. Luca Rouco hit a great ball. 84 minutes in the game Macos Graciani did a throw-in, and the ball was quickly in game thanks to Joel Gaona. The crowd rose to their feet as Alberto Tafalla kicked a wonderful shot that went in to the left of a diving Branislav Velchevski. That made the score 0-1 in the 86 minute of play. Branislav Velchevski showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Alberto Tafalla, who was totally free with the ball in the 89th minute. Luca Rouco hit a great freekick 95 minutes into the match. If Joel Gaona had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 98th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. The ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA fans had already started to leave before the final whistle blew. Mexico were clearly better and deserved to take the win.