Challenge

Arena Atlanta
Spectators: 39 (Terracing: 30, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Serafim de Carvalho took the kick off in the first half of the match. Jacobo Nores took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Joel Leite, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 9th minute of the match Xavier Zoido sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Mané França skillfully saved the ball. The audience was convinced that Joel Leite's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Jacobo Nores was relentless in the 12th minute of the game. Fabinho Salgado hit a great freekick 14 minutes into the match. 15 minutes into the game, Jaime Pardo cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-1. Mané França was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. An unexpectedly hard shot by Jaime Pardo in the 18th minute of play forced Atlanta United F.C.'s goalkeeper Mané França to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. When Paraguay's Jaime Pardo in the 22nd minute got a chance for a shot 22nd didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Atlanta United F.C.'s goalie prevented a goal. After 25 played minutes Atlanta United F.C. got a freekick which was hit by Joel Leite. 32 minutes into the match, Serafim de Carvalho notched a goal, 1-1, to the right of Paraguay's Jacobo Nores. Jacobo Nores was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Serafim de Carvalho received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 36th minute. Jacobo Nores tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Hector Covarrubias received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 38th minute. Mané França tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. A collision led to Atlanta United F.C. getting a freekick after 39 minutes play. Fred Fernandez hit a great ball. Primitivo Escribano received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 42nd minute. Mané França tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Mané França showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Jaime Pardo, who was totally free with the ball in the 45th minute. The first half was very even, with the score at 1-1 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Jaime Pardo to strike the kick off in the second half. If Primitivo Escribano had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 51st minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Jaime Pardo received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 60th minute. Mané França tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After a rather tough play, Atlanta United F.C.'s Fábio Castro got a free kick in the 61st minute. Jaime Pardo struck a weak shot in the 62nd minute. Mané França didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Paraguay. After a defensive mix-up in Paraguay's zone, Serafim de Carvalho stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Jacobo Nores came out of the goal and Serafim de Carvalho tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Mané França showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Jaime Pardo in the 76th minute of the match. In the 80th minute, Joel Leite left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Atlanta United F.C. fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 2-1. Joel Leite sent away a hard shot on goal in the 83rd minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. In the 83rd minute the ball was on its way in behind Paraguay's goalkeeper Jacobo Nores, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Fábio Castro kicked well hit freekick during the 88th minute of the match. Jacobo Nores made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Serafim de Carvalho in the 94th minute of play. The home crowd let out a huge roar when the referee blew for the end of the game. Atlanta United F.C. were victorious despite being under pressure from Paraguay for much of the match.