Challenge

Estadio Olímpico
Spectators: 45 (Terracing: 35, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Rayo Bengala's Macabeo Sampil 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. Julio Vera showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Macabeo Sampil, who was totally free with the ball in the 6th minute. After some fancy dribbling in the 12th minute, Daniel Zorita managed to get in a good position for a shot. Ecuador's supporters rose to their feet, but Daniel Zorita was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Artur Boruc breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Cristian Sancho recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 15th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Artur Boruc was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Daniel Zorita showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 1-0 in the 18 minute of play. 24 minutes into the match, Ecuador's goal looked a bit too open when Macabeo Sampil came free, but Julio Vera reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. A collision led to Rayo Bengala getting a freekick after 24 minutes play. Nerio Etxeberria hit a great ball. Artur Boruc made an important save on a dangerous shot by Daniel Zorita in the 25th minute. Daniel Zorita could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 27th minute of the match, but Artur Boruc made a huge save. Artur Boruc showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Luis Andino, who was totally free with the ball in the 34th minute. Cristian Sancho sent away a hard shot on goal in the 42nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Daniel Zorita's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 45thth minute, Artur Boruc skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. 47 minutes into the match, Rayo Bengala's goalkeeper Artur Boruc had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Daniel Zorita. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 1-0 at half-time.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Daniel Zorita stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. In the 53rd minute, one of Ecuador:s players had the ball in front of the goal but got pushed and fell. The referee felt it was an obvious case and blew a penalty for Ecuador. When the match had been going on for 54 minutes, Rayo Bengala's Macabeo Sampil got an opportunity to shoot a penalty. He stayed cool and waited for the goalkeeper to move, before he confidently shot the ball into the goal, to the left of Julio Vera. If Macabeo Sampil had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 57th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After a defensive mix-up in Rayo Bengala's zone, Cristian Sancho stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Artur Boruc came out of the goal and Cristian Sancho tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Julio Vera was out of position in the 67 minute of play, and Macabeo Sampil capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Macabeo Sampil really showed his touch with that goal: 1-2. Julio Vera stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Julen Castellano's shot from short distance in the 71st minute. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Julen Castellano in the 72nd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Julio Vera prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Luis Andino took the ball and in the 74 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Artur Boruc. Artur Boruc dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 2-2. Artur Boruc took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Cristian Sancho, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After 79 minutes Rayo Bengala's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Daniel Zorita who took care of the corner kick. Rayo Bengala's Artur Boruc played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Daniel Zorita in the 81st minute of play. In the 82nd minute, Daniel Zorita ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Artur Boruc was frozen by the shot and now it was 3-2. Cristian Sancho received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 89th minute. Artur Boruc tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Palacios Bobes fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 93rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Julio Vera having to interfere. Julio Vera took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Muntis Stiebriņsons, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Rayo Bengala's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.