Challenge

Estadio Azteca
Spectators: 45 (Terracing: 35, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Isidoro Beltran kicked off to start the match. Dante Lacasa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Jorg Pieters in the 12th minute of play. 14 minutes into the match, Mexico's goal looked a bit too open when Jorg Pieters came free, but Dante Lacasa reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Isidoro Beltran in the 18th minute of play forced Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Lautaro Mancebo came free with the goalkeeper in the 20th minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Pepe Santoro could save by the left post. After 22 played minutes Independiente got a freekick which was hit by Florentino Inge. In the 26th minute Joel Gaona shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Pepe Santoro saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. With a little luck, Independiente's Pepe Santoro got control of the ball when Lautaro Mancebo tried to sneak it across the goal line. 33 minutes into the match, Independiente's goalkeeper Pepe Santoro had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Lautaro Mancebo. Alberto Tafalla could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 35th minute of the match, but Pepe Santoro made a huge save. Dante Lacasa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Sören Bengtsson, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Through an outstanding action, after 43 minutes, Pepe Santoro successfully got his hands on the ball before it slid into the goal at the right post. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

The wind increased when Joel Gaona made the kick off in the second half. In the 53rd minute Lautaro Mancebo shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Pepe Santoro saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 54 minutes into the match, Independiente's goal looked a bit too open when Lautaro Mancebo came free, but Pepe Santoro reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Isidoro Beltran struck a weak shot in the 57th minute. Dante Lacasa didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Independiente. If Alberto Tafalla had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 63rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 65th minute, Mateo Mendez hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Independiente made a substitution. Serafín Berganza replaced Albano Bertol. In the 66th match minute, Independiente was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Mateo Mendez to maneuver through the defense. Mexico's Joel Gaona got a good chance for a goal in the 69th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Pepe Santoro 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 72nd minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Sören Bengtsson in the 74th minute of play forced Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 75th minute, Facundo Cadaval hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 77 minutes into the game, Lautaro Mancebo cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 2-0. Pepe Santoro was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. In the 81st minute, Joel Gaona 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. In the 82nd minute Isidoro Beltran 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. An unexpectedly hard shot by Joel Gaona in the 83rd minute of play forced Independiente's goalkeeper Pepe Santoro to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Dante Lacasa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Isidoro Beltran in the 90th minute of play. Joel Gaona fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 92nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Pepe Santoro having to interfere. Mexico's fans were exulted and cheered after their team won in a match that could easily have gone the other way.