Challenge

Estadio Azteca
Spectators: 45 (Terracing: 35, 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. Emanuel Barbu started the match with the kick off. Dante Lacasa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Emanuel Barbu, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After a defensive mix-up in Mexico's zone, Emanuel Barbu stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Dante Lacasa came out of the goal and Emanuel Barbu tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Iwan Swoboda took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Joel Gaona, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Mexico were awarded a corner in the 26th minute after FC Szczucin's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Joel Gaona took the corner. After a rather tough play, FC Szczucin's Alfredo Rey got a free kick in the 28th minute. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Luca Zorita in the 29th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Iwan Swoboda prevented the ball from getting in the gole. In the 30th match minute, FC Szczucin was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Alfredo Rey to maneuver through the defense. FC Szczucin's Iwan Swoboda proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 31st minute of the match, managed to save FC Szczucin from getting a goal against them. After 32 minutes FC Szczucin'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. Dante Lacasa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Emanuel Barbu, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After 38 minutes of play, Mexico's Alberto Tafalla made it 1-0 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Iwan Swoboda was left in no man's land by his defense there! With a couple of smart ball manuevers Joel Gaona in the 46th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Iwan Swoboda saved FC Szczucin from getting behind. Af the end of the first half the score was 1-0. The first half had gone as expected for the home team.

Joel Gaona sent away a hard shot on goal in the 51st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. If Luca Zorita had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 53rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. If Joel Gaona had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 64th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 70th minute Luca Zorita shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Iwan Swoboda saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Facundo Cadaval in the 72nd minute of play forced FC Szczucin's goalkeeper Iwan Swoboda to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 72nd minute, Facundo Cadaval 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: 2-1. After 74 played minutes Mexico got a freekick which was hit by Alberto Tafalla. FC Szczucin's Iwan Swoboda played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Luca Zorita in the 76th minute of play. After 77 minutes FC Szczucin'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. A nice corner shot did that Joel Gaona got away a dangerous shot. Despite this Iwan Swoboda quite easily got ahold of the ball to make the save. Joel Gaona struck a weak shot in the 79th minute. Iwan Swoboda didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Mexico. Iwan Swoboda made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Joel Gaona in the 85th minute of play. FC Szczucin's Iwan Swoboda played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Alberto Tafalla in the 87th minute of play. In the 91st minute Lautaro Mancebo shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Iwan Swoboda saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line.