Challenge

VfB Stuttgart
Spectators: 41 (Terracing: 32, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Toma Spasunov made the kick off which started today's match. Rio Darwis fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 4th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Benito Sanz having to interfere. Benito Sanz showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Ivan Zafirov in the 11th minute of the match. The audience thought a goal was coming when Ivan Zafirov got free with Benito Sanz in the 13th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Toma Spasunov succeeded in the game's 21st minute to shoot an unreachable shot under the crossbar and scored - 2-0. Benito Sanz made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Toma Spasunov in the 30th minute of play. Benito Sanz made a fantastic save in the 33rd minute, when Ivan Zafirov sent off a good shot on target. Nabil Bezzaz sent away a hard shot on goal in the 34th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Toma Spasunov took the ball and in the 36 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Benito Sanz. Benito Sanz dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 3-0. Nabil Bezzaz kicked well hit freekick during the 39th minute of the match. Aaron Alcocer's late challenge caught a VfB Stuttgart's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Aaron Alcocer helped the player get up and apologised. A collision led to Costa Rica getting a freekick after 41 minutes play. Aaron Alcocer hit a great ball. In the 45th match minute, Costa Rica was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Aaron Alcocer to maneuver through the defense. 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 3-0.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Axel Tasis was the one to do the kick off. Mantas Plingis showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Axel Tasis, who was totally free with the ball in the 53rd minute. In the 57th minute of the match Costa Rica got a corner. VfB Stuttgart's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Axel Tasis ran over to the corner to take the kick. A nice corner shot did that Axel Tasis got away a dangerous shot. Despite this Mantas Plingis quite easily got ahold of the ball to make the save. 59 minutes into the game, Toma Spasunov cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 4-0. Benito Sanz was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Mantas Plingis made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Axel Tasis in the 63rd minute of play. Axel Tasis could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 65th minute of the match, but Mantas Plingis made a huge save. An unexpectedly hard shot by Axel Tasis in the 67th minute of play forced VfB Stuttgart's goalkeeper Mantas Plingis to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Mouloud Laref charged in rather forcefully in the 68th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Mouloud Laref the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. In the 68th minute, Mouloud Laref hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. An unexpectedly hard shot by Eliseo Noboa in the 71st minute of play forced VfB Stuttgart's goalkeeper Mantas Plingis to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Rio Darwis's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Benito Sanz read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 76th minute of play. Ivan Zafirov struck a weak shot in the 77th minute. Benito Sanz didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for VfB Stuttgart. Benito Sanz didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Toma Spasunov went, in the 79th minute, to the upper right corner, 5-0 was the resulting score. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Lautaro Puig during the 82nd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Lautaro Puig kicked well hit freekick during the 82nd minute of the match. The supporters of VfB Stuttgart booed when Costa Rica was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 84 match minutes in a wonderful position. Alan Moruga didn't get a good kick on the ball. After some careless play in the Costa Rica defense, Toma Spasunov kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Benito Sanz. The Costa Rica fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Benito Sanz should have stopped the shot. Benito Sanz showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Rio Darwis, who was totally free with the ball in the 89th minute. After 91 minutes, Alan Moruga mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Costa Rica and the VfB Stuttgart players grew even worse after the yellow card. The referee blew the whistle for a penalty in the 93rd minute of the game. One of Costa Rica:s players had nearly got his shirt torn off by an opponent while getting free in front of VfB Stuttgart:s goal. It was no surprise that this one had ended in a win for the home team. VfB Stuttgart had played much better football throughout.