Challenge

Estádio do Dragão
Spectators: 44 (Terracing: 34, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Barry Houghton made the kick off which started today's match. The audience thought a goal was coming when Barry Houghton got free with Dante Lacasa in the 2nd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Zacarias Sesimbra showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Alberto Tafalla in the 6th minute of the match. Mexico's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Joel Gaona in the 7th minute. A well-hit corner resulted in Luca Zorita heading the ball towards the goal, but to his dismay he misdirected it and missed the goal completely. Dante Lacasa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Barry Houghton in the 19th minute of play. 24 minutes into the match, Joel Gaona had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Zacarias Sesimbra. Dragonf⮊rcE's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Joel Gaona was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-1. The supporters of Dragonf⮊rcE booed when Mexico was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 27 match minutes in a wonderful position. Luca Rouco didn't get a good kick on the ball. Zacarias Sesimbra took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Lautaro Mancebo, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Dante Lacasa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Pedro Pauleta in the 38th minute of play. After a defensive mix-up in Dragonf⮊rcE's zone, Lautaro Mancebo stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Zacarias Sesimbra came out of the goal and Lautaro Mancebo tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Lautaro Mancebo fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 48th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Zacarias Sesimbra having to interfere. After the first half Mexico were leading 0-1. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Joel Gaona was the one to do the kick off. Mexico's Joel Gaona got a good chance for a goal in the 52nd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. After a defensive mix-up in Dragonf⮊rcE's zone, Facundo Cadaval stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Zacarias Sesimbra came out of the goal and Facundo Cadaval tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Dante Lacasa showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Barry Houghton in the 56th minute of the match. Lautaro Mancebo received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 58th minute. Zacarias Sesimbra tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 61st match minute, Dragonf⮊rcE was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Virgílio Coelho to maneuver through the defense. 62 minutes into the match, Mexico's Joel Gaona broke free and took a long shot that unfortunately flew wide. A fine initiative that could have resulted in a goal. 64 minutes into the game, Herman Dresselbjerg cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-1. Dante Lacasa was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Afonso Quadros hit a great freekick 66 minutes into the match. Dragonf⮊rcE's Karin Benzema was substituted for Barry Houghton. Dragonf⮊rcE made a substitution. Mariano Regalado replaced Rogério Leme. Afonso Quadros kicked well hit freekick during the 67th minute of the match. Mexico's Dante Lacasa played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Karin Benzema in the 69th minute of play. 71 minutes into the match, Dragonf⮊rcE's goal looked a bit too open when Joel Gaona came free, but Zacarias Sesimbra reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Mexico made a substitution. Bautista Elvira replaced Lautaro Mancebo. Zacarias Sesimbra showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Luca Zorita in the 79th minute of the match. Alberto Tafalla struck a weak shot in the 82nd minute. Zacarias Sesimbra didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Mexico. Bautista Elvira sent away a hard shot on goal in the 84th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. A nice corner shot did that Joel Gaona got away a dangerous shot. Despite this Zacarias Sesimbra quite easily got ahold of the ball to make the save. Mexico's Dante Lacasa played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Ludo Tobbackers in the 88th minute of play. When Luca Zorita fell near the penalty area in the 94th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Mexico's protests and gave Luca Zorita a yellow card for diving instead. In the 94th minute, Luca Zorita hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 95th minute, Vítor Veiga hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. The Dragonf⮊rcE support was delighted with a win in a match that could easily have ended differently.