Challenge

Pildesti Arena
Spectators: 43 (Terracing: 33, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Filip Paulescu started the match with the kick off. An unexpectedly hard shot by Joel Gaona in the 5th minute of play forced FC Steaua Pildesti's goalkeeper Marian Văduvescu to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Facundo Cadaval in the 9th minute of play forced FC Steaua Pildesti's goalkeeper Marian Văduvescu to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Constantin Deșliu kicked well hit freekick during the 18th minute of the match. 19 minutes into the match, Lautaro Mancebo had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Marian Văduvescu. FC Steaua Pildesti's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Lautaro Mancebo was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-2. FC Steaua Pildesti's Marian Văduvescu played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Facundo Cadaval in the 22nd minute of play. Marian Văduvescu made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Joel Gaona in the 25th minute of play. 27 minutes into the match, Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Lucian Stere. Dante Lacasa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Zygmunt Dunajski, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 38th minute of the match Mexico got a corner. FC Steaua Pildesti's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Joel Gaona ran over to the corner to take the kick. The corner led Mexico's Joel Gaona to fire away a dangerous shot which Marian Văduvescu despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. When Mexico's Luca Zorita in the 38th minute got a chance for a shot 38th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye FC Steaua Pildesti's goalie prevented a goal. 41 minutes into the match, Mexico's goal looked a bit too open when Zygmunt Dunajski came free, but Dante Lacasa reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 46th minute Lucian Stere 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. After the first half Mexico were leading 0-2. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Joel Gaona to make the kick off. Marian Văduvescu showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Luca Zorita, who was totally free with the ball in the 51st minute. In the 53rd minute, Alberto Tafalla left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Mexico fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 0-3. In the 59th minute of the match, Alberto Tafalla tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Marian Văduvescu saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. Dante Lacasa showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Lucian Stere, who was totally free with the ball in the 60th minute. Marian Văduvescu 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 63rd minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Filip Paulescu in the 67th minute of play forced Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 73 minutes into the match, Joel Gaona dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Marian Văduvescu, 0-4. In the 80th minute Joel Gaona shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Marian Văduvescu saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 80th minute, Mexico's Joel Gaona ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Marian Văduvescu. Marian Văduvescu yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 0-5. Dante Lacasa showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Lucian Stere, who was totally free with the ball in the 84th minute. Joel Gaona sent away a hard shot on goal in the 89th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. An unexpectedly hard shot by Nicolae Barbu in the 91st minute of play forced Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 92nd minute Nicolae Barbu 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 a little luck, FC Steaua Pildesti's Marian Văduvescu got control of the ball when Alberto Tafalla tried to sneak it across the goal line. Marian Văduvescu took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Luca Zorita, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Mexico's fans were overjoyed with their teams well-earned victory and stayed in the stadium long after the final whistle to celebrate the win.