Challenge

Ghencea
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Gheorghe Cunea kicked off to start the match. In the 6th match minute, Steaua Bucuresti was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Vadym Putinčanin to maneuver through the defense. Alberto Tafalla recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 9th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. A collision led to Mexico getting a freekick after 12 minutes play. Joel Gaona hit a great ball. Lautaro Mancebo received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 17th minute. Radu Isaicu tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Aron Ciorăscu took the ball and in the 19 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Dante Lacasa. Dante Lacasa dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-0. In the 21st minute of the match, Aron Ciorăscu tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Dante Lacasa saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. Joel Gaona sent away a hard shot on goal in the 26th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. In the 29th minute, Joel Gaona left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Mexico fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-1. The crowd rose to their feet as Steaua Bucuresti's Gheorghe Cunea slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Dante Lacasa. That made the score 2-1 after 35 minutes of play. 38 minutes into the match, Mexico's Facundo Cadaval sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Radu Isaicu narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Dante Lacasa made an important save on a dangerous shot by Aurel Pandrea in the 39th minute. Mexico's Alberto Tafalla got a good chance for a goal in the 41st minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. An unexpectedly hard shot by Gheorghe Cunea in the 43rd minute of play forced Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 2-1 at half-time.

The wind increased when Joel Gaona made the kick off in the second half. After 52 minutes Steaua Bucuresti'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. Alberto Tafalla made a great header on Mexico's corner, it was just that Steaua Bucuresti's Radu Isaicu managed to reach the ball for a save. Mexico were awarded a corner in the 54th minute after Steaua Bucuresti's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Joel Gaona took the corner. Mexico's Joel Gaona was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Radu Isaicu in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. Ionuț Drumeș struck a weak shot in the 55th minute. Dante Lacasa didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Steaua Bucuresti. Joel Gaona sent away a hard shot on goal in the 57th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Dante Lacasa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Aron Ciorăscu in the 61st minute of play. After some fancy dribbling in the 65th minute, Lautaro Mancebo managed to get in a good position for a shot. Mexico's supporters rose to their feet, but Lautaro Mancebo was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Radu Isaicu breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. In the 68th minute, Aron Ciorăscu made a precise shot to the right of Dante Lacasa. Mexico's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 3-1. 70 minutes into the match, Steaua Bucuresti's goal looked a bit too open when Facundo Cadaval came free, but Radu Isaicu reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Lautaro Mancebo recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 72nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. 74 minutes into the match, Mexico's goal looked a bit too open when Aron Ciorăscu came free, but Dante Lacasa reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 78th match minute, Mexico was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Lorenzo Cazalla to maneuver through the defense. When Steaua Bucuresti's Aron Ciorăscu in the 79th minute got a chance for a shot 79th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Mexico's goalie prevented a goal. Mexico's Luca Zorita got a good chance for a goal in the 82nd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. An unexpectedly hard shot by Aurel Pandrea in the 86th minute of play forced Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Dante Lacasa showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Aurel Pandrea, who was totally free with the ball in the 86th minute. After some fancy dribbling in the 89th minute, Alberto Tafalla managed to get in a good position for a shot. Mexico's supporters rose to their feet, but Alberto Tafalla was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Radu Isaicu breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. The home crowd let out a huge roar when the referee blew for the end of the game. Steaua Bucuresti were victorious despite being under pressure from Mexico for much of the match.