Challenge

Queen Arena
Spectators: 42 (Terracing: 32, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Joel Gaona started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. In the 7th minute Joel Gaona shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Bogdan Lobonț saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After some fancy dribbling in the 13th minute, Lautaro Mancebo managed to get in a good position for a shot. Mexico's supporters rose to their feet, but Lautaro Mancebo was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Bogdan Lobonț breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Dante Lacasa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Victor Piţurcă in the 17th minute of play. Bogdan Lobonț showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Alberto Tafalla, who was totally free with the ball in the 20th minute. After some careless play in the Emerald defense, Alberto Tafalla kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Bogdan Lobonț. The Emerald fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Bogdan Lobonț should have stopped the shot. Bogdan Lobonț took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Joel Gaona, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Bogdan Lobonț showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Joel Gaona, who was totally free with the ball in the 29th minute. Lautaro Mancebo 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. 34 minutes into the match, Alberto Tafalla notched a goal, 0-2, to the right of Emerald's Bogdan Lobonț. Bogdan Lobonț was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. In the 36th match minute, Emerald was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Jaime Carioca to maneuver through the defense. Jaime Carioca fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 40th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Dante Lacasa having to interfere. Bogdan Lobonț took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Alberto Tafalla, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After a rather tough play, Mexico's Luca Rouco got a free kick in the 43rd minute. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-2 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

In the 52nd minute Joel Gaona shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Bogdan Lobonț saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Luca Zorita hit a great freekick 53 minutes into the match. Bogdan Lobonț was out of position in the 55 minute of play, and Lautaro Mancebo capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Lautaro Mancebo really showed his touch with that goal: 0-3. Facundo Cadaval kicked well hit freekick during the 60th minute of the match. Dante Lacasa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Jaime Carioca, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Luca Zorita sent away a hard shot on goal in the 73rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 76th match minute, Emerald was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Gabriel Mălaimare to maneuver through the defense. Bogdan Lobonț took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Joel Gaona, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After a rather tough play, Emerald's Matei Félix Júnior got a free kick in the 82nd minute. In the 87th minute, Lautaro Mancebo 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. 89 minutes into the game, Emerald's Victor Piţurcă nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Dante Lacasa made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-3. Lautaro Mancebo could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 91st minute of the match, but Bogdan Lobonț made a huge save. 94 minutes into the match, Victor Piţurcă notched a goal, 2-3, to the right of Mexico's Dante Lacasa. Dante Lacasa was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. 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.