Challenge

Estadio Azteca
Spectators: 45 (Terracing: 35, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Joel Gaona took the kick off in the first half of the match. Olimpiu Hârlău made a fantastic save in the 4th minute, when Facundo Cadaval sent off a good shot on target. Dante Lacasa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Romeo Ungheanu, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Mihnea Ionițoiu made a great header on Carpathian Wolves's corner, it was just that Mexico's Dante Lacasa managed to reach the ball for a save. Carpathian Wolves were awarded a corner in the 9th minute after Mexico's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Mugur Timofte took the corner. Yu Feng Xi kicked well hit freekick during the 13th minute of the match. In the 14th minute, Joel Gaona made a precise shot to the right of Olimpiu Hârlău. Carpathian Wolves's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 1-0. In the 16th minute, Timo Thorstein made a precise shot to the right of Dante Lacasa. Mexico's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 1-1. With an all-out effort, Mexico's Olimpiu Hârlău threw himself towards the right post 23 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Joel Gaona, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. Olimpiu Hârlău made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Joel Gaona in the 24th minute of play. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Yu Feng Xi in the 29th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Dante Lacasa saved Mexico from getting behind. Dante Lacasa showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from David Trăistaru in the 30th minute of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Joel Gaona in the 31st minute of play forced Carpathian Wolves's goalkeeper Olimpiu Hârlău to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Thanks to some nice moves Lautaro Mancebo could shoot a difficult shot in the 33rd minute, which Olimpiu Hârlău however easily saved by the left post. After a rather tough play, Carpathian Wolves's Benny Beckenbauer got a free kick in the 37th minute. With a little luck, Carpathian Wolves's Olimpiu Hârlău got control of the ball when Alberto Tafalla tried to sneak it across the goal line. In the 42nd minute Timo Thorstein 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. 48 minutes into the game, Timo Thorstein cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-2. Dante Lacasa was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 1-2 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Yu Feng Xi made a kick off. The supporters of Carpathian Wolves booed when Mexico was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 58 match minutes in a wonderful position. Joel Gaona didn't get a good kick on the ball. Mexico's Dante Lacasa proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 60th minute of the match, managed to save Mexico from getting a goal against them. Joel Gaona sent away a hard shot on goal in the 62nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. An unexpectedly hard shot by Lautaro Mancebo in the 65th minute of play forced Carpathian Wolves's goalkeeper Olimpiu Hârlău to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After 71 minutes Carpathian Wolves's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Joel Gaona who took care of the corner kick. Carpathian Wolves's Olimpiu Hârlău played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Lautaro Mancebo in the 72nd minute of play. Yu Feng Xi who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 74thth minute tested the skills of Dante Lacasa when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Luca Zorita received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 80th minute. Olimpiu Hârlău tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 85th match minute, Mexico was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Alberto Tafalla to maneuver through the defense. Mihnea Ionițoiu kicked well hit freekick during the 86th minute of the match. Carpathian Wolves's Olimpiu Hârlău played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Alberto Tafalla in the 88th minute of play. Olimpiu Hârlău made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Luca Zorita in the 89th minute of play. The away crowd were delighted with the way their team had played and cheered loudly when the final whistle sounded. Carpathian Wolves walked away with the win, even though the match was close until the end.