Challenge

埼玉スタジアム2002
Spectators: 45 (Terracing: 35, Seating: 10, 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. Dante Lacasa made a fantastic save in the 3rd minute, when Manolo Iravedra sent off a good shot on target. Blue Lock's Patxi Carmona played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Joel Gaona in the 7th minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Facundo Cadaval in the 12th minute of play forced Blue Lock's goalkeeper Patxi Carmona to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Patxi Carmona made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Facundo Cadaval in the 12th minute of play. Facundo Cadaval scored 0-1 in the 12th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Patxi Carmona, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. An unexpectedly hard shot by Facundo Cadaval in the 18th minute of play forced Blue Lock's goalkeeper Patxi Carmona to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 19 minutes into the match, Mexico's goal looked a bit too open when Benjamin Enao came free, but Dante Lacasa reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Dante Lacasa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Manolo Iravedra, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Dante Lacasa made an important save on a dangerous shot by Evelio Mahabe in the 24th minute. 26 minutes into the game, Mexico's Facundo Cadaval nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Patxi Carmona made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-2. After a rather tough play, Mexico's Alberto Tafalla got a free kick in the 32nd minute. 35 minutes into the match, Blue Lock's goal looked a bit too open when Alberto Tafalla came free, but Patxi Carmona reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 42 minutes had been played when some careless play by Blue Lock's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Joel Gaona was slow to take the kick. During this time Mexico's players had a chance to rest. In the 45th minute Alberto Tafalla shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Patxi Carmona saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After 46 played minutes Blue Lock got a freekick which was hit by Desiderio Guerris. Mexico's Alberto Tafalla got a good chance for a goal in the 48th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. 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.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Birjaio Herdozain stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Luca Rouco was astounded when the referee showed him the red card after a seemingly innocent challenge, 51 minutes into the match. In the 52nd match minute, Mexico was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Luca Rouco to maneuver through the defense. After a defensive mix-up in Mexico's zone, Birjaio Herdozain stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Dante Lacasa came out of the goal and Birjaio Herdozain tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. The audience thought a goal was coming when Facundo Cadaval got free with Patxi Carmona in the 57th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Patxi Carmona 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 64th minute. 65 minutes into the match, Blue Lock's goal looked a bit too open when Luca Zorita came free, but Patxi Carmona reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After 66 minutes of play, Mexico's Alberto Tafalla made it 0-3 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Patxi Carmona was left in no man's land by his defense there! Dante Lacasa showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Birjaio Herdozain in the 74th minute of the match. Patxi Carmona took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Luca Zorita, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Evelio Mahabe'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. Evelio Mahabe helped the player get up and apologised. In the 85th match minute, Blue Lock was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Evelio Mahabe to maneuver through the defense. 93 minutes into the game, Blue Lock's Birjaio Herdozain nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Dante Lacasa made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-3. Mexico played a much better game than Blue Lock and deserved their victory. The Blue Lock players were clearly disappointed as they left the ground.