Challenge

Estadio Azteca
Spectators: 45 (Terracing: 35, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Joel Gaona made the kick off and thus started the match. FC UNIREA Alba Iulia's Baldomiro Txindoki played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Alberto Tafalla in the 3rd minute of play. In the 5th minute, Nicolae Ungureanu hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 7 minutes into the match, Orçun Yalınalp had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Dante Lacasa. Mexico's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Orçun Yalınalp was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-1. FC UNIREA Alba Iulia's Baldomiro Txindoki proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 10th minute of the match, managed to save FC UNIREA Alba Iulia from getting a goal against them. Joel Gaona scored 1-1 in the 11th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Baldomiro Txindoki, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Dante Lacasa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Iulian Pietreanu, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The crowd rose to their feet as Mexico's Facundo Cadaval slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Baldomiro Txindoki. That made the score 2-1 after 18 minutes of play. Mexico's Joel Gaona got a good chance for a goal in the 25th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Dante Lacasa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Orçun Yalınalp in the 28th minute of play. Petrică Cândreanu hit a great freekick 30 minutes into the match. Joel Gaona sent away a hard shot on goal in the 33rd minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Baldomiro Txindoki showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Alberto Tafalla in the 34th minute of the match. Alberto Tafalla received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 38th minute. Baldomiro Txindoki tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. An unexpectedly hard shot by Orçun Yalınalp in the 39th minute of play forced Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After having played for 41 minutes, Alberto Tafalla managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Mexico's supporters crossed their fingers, but Alberto Tafalla was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 43rd minute the ball was on its way in behind FC UNIREA Alba Iulia's goalkeeper Baldomiro Txindoki, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 2-1 at half-time.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Iulian Pietreanu to strike the kick off in the second half. An unexpectedly hard shot by Facundo Cadaval in the 51st minute of play forced FC UNIREA Alba Iulia's goalkeeper Baldomiro Txindoki to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The supporters of Mexico booed when FC UNIREA Alba Iulia was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 51 match minutes in a wonderful position. Petrică Cândreanu didn't get a good kick on the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Lautaro Mancebo in the 52nd minute of play forced FC UNIREA Alba Iulia's goalkeeper Baldomiro Txindoki to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Wilson Arósio who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 54thth minute tested the skills of Dante Lacasa when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Dante Lacasa showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Petrică Cândreanu, who was totally free with the ball in the 55th minute. If Luca Zorita had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 56th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. An unexpectedly hard shot by Alberto Tafalla in the 57th minute of play forced FC UNIREA Alba Iulia's goalkeeper Baldomiro Txindoki to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 61 minutes into the match, FC UNIREA Alba Iulia's goal looked a bit too open when Lautaro Mancebo came free, but Baldomiro Txindoki reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Lautaro Mancebo struck a weak shot in the 64th minute. Baldomiro Txindoki didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Mexico. The supporters of Mexico booed when FC UNIREA Alba Iulia was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 68 match minutes in a wonderful position. Petrică Cândreanu didn't get a good kick on the ball. 75 minutes into the match, Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Orçun Yalınalp. Baldomiro Txindoki made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Alberto Tafalla in the 77th minute of play. In the 80th minute, FC UNIREA Alba Iulia's Orçun Yalınalp dribbled the ball into the box and hit a shot with the outside of his foot, sending the keeper the wrong way. 2-2. Joel Gaona fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 84th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Baldomiro Txindoki having to interfere. In the 87th minute Mexico were awarded a corner. Joel Gaona went to the cornerflag to take it. After taking down the ball on Mexico's corner Joel Gaona fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Baldomiro Txindoki quite easily take care of the ball. 91 minutes into the match, Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Orçun Yalınalp. Baldomiro Txindoki showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Joel Gaona in the 94th minute of the match. Dante Lacasa showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Orçun Yalınalp, who was totally free with the ball in the 95th minute. The second half was just like the first, even and exciting. The match ended in a draw.