Challenge

埼玉スタジアム2002
Spectators: 45 (Terracing: 35, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Blue Lock's Birjaio Herdozain 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. Birjaio Herdozain could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 5th minute of the match, but Julio Vera made a huge save. Birjaio Herdozain was really disappointed when he shot the ball just outside the right post instead of scoring a goal in the 6th minute. Blue Lock's manager could be seen on the sidelines shaking his head and muttering to himself as his team had just wasted another chance. Patxi Carmona took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Felix Montenegro, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Blue Lock's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Iraunkor Hordoñez in the 15th minute. A nice corner shot did that Iraunkor Hordoñez got away a dangerous shot. Despite this Julio Vera quite easily got ahold of the ball to make the save. In the 20thth minute of the game Cristian Sancho who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Blue Lock's Patxi Carmona was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. With a little luck, Ecuador's Julio Vera got control of the ball when Birjaio Herdozain tried to sneak it across the goal line. 34 minutes into the game, one of Ecuador:s players got tackled near the goal, and the referee blew for a penalty. Birjaio Herdozain's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 38thth minute, Julio Vera skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. Patxi Carmona showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Felix Montenegro, who was totally free with the ball in the 40th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Cristian Sancho in the 41st minute of play forced Blue Lock's goalkeeper Patxi Carmona to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The supporters of Blue Lock booed when Ecuador was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 43 match minutes in a wonderful position. Daniel Zorita didn't get a good kick on the ball. After some fancy dribbling in the 47th 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. Patxi Carmona breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Luck had favoured the away team in the first, and they walked off with a 0-1 lead.

The audience thought a goal was coming when Felix Montenegro got free with Patxi Carmona in the 52nd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. 52 minutes into the game, Felix Montenegro recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Patxi Carmona. Felix Montenegro showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 0-2. Cristian Sancho could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 57th minute of the match, but Patxi Carmona made a huge save. Patxi Carmona made a fantastic save in the 59th minute, when Daniel Zorita sent off a good shot on target. Benjamin Enao hit a great freekick 63 minutes into the match. After 68 played minutes Blue Lock got a freekick which was hit by Iraunkor Hordoñez. 70 minutes into the match, Birjaio Herdozain had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Julio Vera. Ecuador's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Birjaio Herdozain was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-2. After a rather tough play, Blue Lock's Jairo Bidun got a free kick in the 75th minute. A collision led to Blue Lock getting a freekick after 77 minutes play. Maciej Zdrojewski hit a great ball. Agustín Saelices's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Patxi Carmona read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 79th minute of play. After having played for 80 minutes, Birjaio Herdozain managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Blue Lock's supporters crossed their fingers, but Birjaio Herdozain was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Patxi Carmona stood somewhat misplaced when Cristian Sancho came free in front of goal and shot 1-3 to the left of him in the 85 minute. When Blue Lock's Birjaio Herdozain in the 89th minute got a chance for a shot 89th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Ecuador's goalie prevented a goal. Felix Montenegro 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.