Challenge

Ricardo Bochini
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Mexico's Joel Gaona 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. Valentin Valentine came free with the goalkeeper in the 5th minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Dante Lacasa could save by the left post. Mexico's Dante Lacasa proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 8th minute of the match, managed to save Mexico from getting a goal against them. Fernan Roldan was really disappointed when he shot the ball just outside the right post instead of scoring a goal in the 16th minute. Galmock FC's manager could be seen on the sidelines shaking his head and muttering to himself as his team had just wasted another chance. Valentin Valentine who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 19thth minute tested the skills of Dante Lacasa when he managed to save the team from getting behind. An unexpectedly hard shot by Lautaro Mancebo in the 24th minute of play forced Galmock FC's goalkeeper Elias Firmin to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Elias Firmin 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 29th minute. Mexico were awarded a corner in the 30th minute after Galmock FC's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Joel Gaona took the corner. In the 34th minute of the game, Facundo Cadaval landed unfortunately after trying to head the ball, and pulled a muscle in the back, so badly that he had to leave the field. Primitivo Ferman's late challenge caught a Mexico's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Primitivo Ferman helped the player get up and apologised. Primitivo Ferman kicked well hit freekick during the 35th minute of the match. 38 minutes into the match, Galmock FC's goal looked a bit too open when Xavier Seco came free, but Elias Firmin reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 41st minute Luca Zorita shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Elias Firmin saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Leonardo Leoz charged in rather forcefully in the 43rd minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Leonardo Leoz the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After a rather tough play, Mexico's Leonardo Leoz got a free kick in the 43rd minute. 45 minutes into the match, Joel Gaona had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Elias Firmin. Galmock FC's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Joel Gaona was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-1. The Galmock FC players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. Mexico were winning 0-1.

When the match had gone on for 52 minutes, Alberto Tafalla took a quick shot and it went in 0-2 without a chance for Elias Firmin to make any attempt to save it. Galmock FC's Elias Firmin played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Luca Zorita in the 63rd minute of play. With a little luck, Galmock FC's Elias Firmin got control of the ball when Alberto Tafalla tried to sneak it across the goal line. After 72 played minutes Galmock FC got a freekick which was hit by Primitivo Ferman. Primitivo Ferman kicked well hit freekick during the 73rd minute of the match. Xavier Seco fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 74th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Elias Firmin having to interfere. In the 84th minute of the match Joel Gaona sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Elias Firmin skillfully saved the ball. Galmock FC's Elias Firmin proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 87th minute of the match, managed to save Galmock FC from getting a goal against them. In the 89th minute Luca Zorita shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Elias Firmin saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After some fancy dribbling in the 93rd minute, Alberto Tafalla managed to get in a good position for a shot. Mexico's supporters rose to their feet, but Alberto Tafalla was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Elias Firmin breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. After having played for 94 minutes, Xavier Seco managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Mexico's supporters crossed their fingers, but Xavier Seco was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal.