Challenge

Genk Stadion
Spectators: 44 (Terracing: 34, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Genk's Vergil Rupov 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. Genk's Jannes Van Leempoel played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Alberto Tafalla in the 5th minute of play. Joel Gaona fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 8th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Jannes Van Leempoel having to interfere. In the last second Dante Lacasa throw himself and got hold of the ball when Rain De Hond in the 12thth minute from his position got away a shot towards the right post. After having played for 20 minutes, Lautaro Mancebo managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Mexico's supporters crossed their fingers, but Lautaro Mancebo was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Jannes Van Leempoel made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Alberto Tafalla in the 27th minute of play. Jannes Van Leempoel showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Alberto Tafalla in the 29th minute of the match. Dante Lacasa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Vergil Rupov in the 44th minute of play. Genk's Jannes Van Leempoel played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Lautaro Mancebo in the 45th minute of play. The audience thought a goal was coming when Suat Kaya got free with Dante Lacasa in the 48th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Genk's Michel Hakimi was substituted for Ariel Paris. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 2-1.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Joel Gaona made a kick off. Mexico's Dante Lacasa played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Vergil Rupov in the 55th minute of play. In the 57th minute of the match, Lautaro Mancebo got a very nice opportunity to score, but Jannes Van Leempoel was well-placed and pushed the ball away from the goal at the left post. The supporters of Genk booed when Mexico was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 62 match minutes in a wonderful position. Facundo Cadaval didn't get a good kick on the ball. Joel Gaona recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 65th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Dante Lacasa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Suat Kaya in the 69th minute of play. Facundo Cadaval kicked well hit freekick during the 72nd minute of the match. The corner went over the outstretched arms of Genk's goalie and right to Luca Zorita. He fired away a shot at goal, but the shot had too much spin, and it went just outside the goal. Genk's manager breathed a sigh of relief on the sidelines as his team had managed to escape an almost certain goal. After 80 minutes Genk'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. The corner ended in Alberto Tafalla almost managing to get the ball behind the net, but Genk's Jannes Van Leempoel did a great save. If Lautaro Mancebo had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 84th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Dante Lacasa showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Suat Kaya, who was totally free with the ball in the 85th minute. If Alberto Tafalla had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 93rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After 96 minutes, Rain De Hond mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Genk and the Mexico players grew even worse after the yellow card. The supporters of Mexico booed when Genk was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 96 match minutes in a wonderful position. Rain De Hond didn't get a good kick on the ball. The referee blew his whistle, and the match came to a close. The players exchanged shirts and headed down the tunnel. The Genk fans cheered their team off the field, for while Mexico had put up a good fight, they were unable to come out of the game with any points to show for their effort.