Challenge

Estadio Nuevo Corona
Spectators: 43 (Terracing: 33, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Tomas Berganza took the kick off in the first half of the match. 5 minutes into the match, Panama's goalkeeper Marcos Cotilla had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Gaston Rosio. An unexpectedly hard shot by Isidoro Sarmiento in the 7th minute of play forced MEXICO's goalkeeper Björn Vanek to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The supporters of Panama booed when MEXICO was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 8 match minutes in a wonderful position. Jacobo Gutierrez didn't get a good kick on the ball. Tomas Berganza took the ball and in the 10 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Björn Vanek. Björn Vanek dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 0-1. 15 minutes into the match, Panama's goal looked a bit too open when Geronimo Eladio came free, but Marcos Cotilla reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After some careless play in the MEXICO defense, Isidoro Sarmiento kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Björn Vanek. The MEXICO fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Björn Vanek should have stopped the shot. Alex Cambeiro recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 20th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. 21 minutes into the game, Gaston Rosio cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-2. Marcos Cotilla was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. After 26 minutes, Geronimo Eladio mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the MEXICO and the Panama players grew even worse after the yellow card. After 26 played minutes MEXICO got a freekick which was hit by Geronimo Eladio. In the 30th minute, MEXICO's Geronimo Eladio dribbled the ball into the box and hit a shot with the outside of his foot, sending the keeper the wrong way. 2-2. After 33 minutes of play, MEXICO's Gaston Rosio made it 3-2 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Marcos Cotilla was left in no man's land by his defense there! Marcos Cotilla was out of position in the 41 minute of play, and Geronimo Eladio capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Geronimo Eladio really showed his touch with that goal: 4-2. 47 minutes into the match, Abraham Alguacil notched a goal, 4-3, to the right of MEXICO's Björn Vanek. Björn Vanek was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 4-3.

Gaston Rosio scored 5-3 in the 61st match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Marcos Cotilla, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Abraham Alguacil recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 72nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Marcos Cotilla took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Gaston Rosio, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 80th minute, Americo Jon made a precise shot to the right of Marcos Cotilla. Panama's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 6-3. If Gaston Rosio had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 82nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 86 minutes into the game, Abraham Alguacil was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Panama's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave MEXICO the free kick. After a rather tough play, Panama's Aaron Barrios got a free kick in the 91st minute. Panama's Marcos Cotilla played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Gaston Rosio in the 92nd minute of play. Tomas Berganza recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 95th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. MEXICO were really happy, having secured the victory after a very even contest. They thanked the players of Panama for a fine match.