Challenge

Héctor Ñato Vacou
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Joel Gaona kicked off to start the match. Dante Lacasa made an important save on a dangerous shot by Severino Benino in the 6th minute. When Alberto Tafalla came up free with the goalie in the 11th minute, the Mexico fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Alberto Tafalla couldn't finish the play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Alberto Tafalla in the 14th minute of play forced Atlético y Tiro Rqta's goalkeeper Abelardo Berenguer to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After some fancy dribbling in the 15th minute, Joel Gaona managed to get in a good position for a shot. Mexico's supporters rose to their feet, but Joel Gaona was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Abelardo Berenguer breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. If Lautaro Mancebo had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 17th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Dante Lacasa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Maxi Rodríguez in the 19th minute of play. 20 minutes into the game, Mexico's Alberto Tafalla nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Abelardo Berenguer made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-1. The supporters of Atlético y Tiro Rqta booed when Mexico was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 23 match minutes in a wonderful position. Luca Zorita didn't get a good kick on the ball. Abelardo Berenguer showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Joel Gaona in the 26th minute of the match. Dante Lacasa showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Juli Álvarez in the 31st minute of the match. Dante Lacasa showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Maxi Rodríguez in the 34th minute of the match. Abelardo Berenguer made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Facundo Cadaval in the 36th minute of play. Joel Gaona took the ball and in the 40 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Abelardo Berenguer. Abelardo Berenguer dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 0-3. After the first half Mexico were leading 0-3. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

In the 55th minute, Mexico's Lautaro Mancebo dribbled the ball into the box and hit a shot with the outside of his foot, sending the keeper the wrong way. 0-4. In the 60th minute Erubiel Munio 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. With 64 minutes on the clock, Lorenzo Cazalla commited a dangerous tackle. The referee had no choice but to show him the red card. A collision led to Mexico getting a freekick after 70 minutes play. Luca Rouco hit a great ball. In the 71st minute of the match Severino Benino shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Dante Lacasa showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. In the 72nd minute Atlético y Tiro Rqta were awarded a corner. Severino Benino went to the cornerflag to take it. In the 79th minute, Lautaro Mancebo made a precise shot to the right of Abelardo Berenguer. Atlético y Tiro Rqta's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 1-5. 89 minutes into the game, Lautaro Mancebo was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Mexico's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Atlético y Tiro Rqta the free kick. Juli Álvarez fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 90th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Dante Lacasa having to interfere. Lautaro Mancebo sent away a hard shot on goal in the 93rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 94 minutes into the game, Hu Fei Hai was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Atlético y Tiro Rqta's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Mexico the free kick. A collision led to Atlético y Tiro Rqta getting a freekick after 94 minutes play. Hu Fei Hai hit a great ball. The audience thought a goal was coming when Lautaro Mancebo got free with Abelardo Berenguer in the 95th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. In the 96th match minute, Atlético y Tiro Rqta was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Erubiel Munio to maneuver through the defense. The referee blew the final whistle, and the away crowd roared, having watched Mexico eke out a victory against a very well matched opponent.