Challenge

JOHAN CRUYFF ARENA
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Timos Kavourakis kicked off to start the match. 5 minutes into the match, Alberto Tafalla notched a goal, 0-1, to the right of Países Bajos's Angelo Ugutz. Angelo Ugutz was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. After 8 minutes, Hieronim Zagrobelny mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Países Bajos and the Mexico players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 12th minute, Lautaro Mancebo made a precise shot to the right of Angelo Ugutz. Países Bajos's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 0-2. Mexico's Dante Lacasa played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Timos Kavourakis in the 18th minute of play. Dante Lacasa showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Timos Kavourakis, who was totally free with the ball in the 18th minute. 20 minutes into the match, Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Camilo Artaldo. An unexpectedly hard shot by Alberto Tafalla in the 26th minute of play forced Países Bajos's goalkeeper Angelo Ugutz to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. When Países Bajos's Timos Kavourakis in the 29th minute got a chance for a shot 29th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Mexico's goalie prevented a goal. If Joel Gaona had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 37th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Mexico's Alberto Tafalla got a good chance for a goal in the 42nd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. 47 minutes into the match, Países Bajos's goal looked a bit too open when Lautaro Mancebo came free, but Angelo Ugutz reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Luck had favoured the away team in the first, and they walked off with a 0-2 lead.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Joel Gaona to strike the kick off in the second half. Luca Rouco's late challenge caught a Países Bajos's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Luca Rouco helped the player get up and apologised. After a rather tough play, Mexico's Luca Rouco got a free kick in the 60th minute. Dante Lacasa stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Timos Kavourakis's shot from short distance in the 61st minute. 62 minutes into the game, Lautaro Mancebo recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Angelo Ugutz. Lautaro Mancebo showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 0-3. In the 66th minute, Alberto Tafalla got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. The supporters of Mexico booed when Países Bajos was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 67 match minutes in a wonderful position. Hieronim Zagrobelny didn't get a good kick on the ball. After having played for 70 minutes, Joel Gaona managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Mexico's supporters crossed their fingers, but Joel Gaona was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Países Bajos's Alvaro Ebardo was substituted for Camilo Artaldo. After 75 played minutes Mexico got a freekick which was hit by Felix Luque. 77 minutes into the game, Facundo Cadaval cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-4. Angelo Ugutz was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Países Bajos's Angelo Ugutz played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Joel Gaona in the 80th minute of play. After 81 minutes Países Bajos'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. Luca Zorita made a great header on Mexico's corner, it was just that Países Bajos's Angelo Ugutz managed to reach the ball for a save. Alberto Tafalla might have been able to make a better finish in the 82nd minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Angelo Ugutz. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Alberto Tafalla ran back to his position shaking his head. Angelo Ugutz stood somewhat misplaced when Luca Zorita came free in front of goal and shot 0-5 to the left of him in the 84 minute. If Joel Gaona had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 90th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Facundo Cadaval hit a great freekick 92 minutes into the match. Mexico's players went to the stands to thank the travelling support. The fan's backing had helped spurr the team on to a fine performance that won them the match.