Challenge

Jorge Luis Hirschi
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Elpidio Francis took the kick off in the first half of the match. Alberto Tafalla struck a weak shot in the 3rd minute. Branislav Velchevski didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Mexico. Branislav Velchevski made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Lautaro Mancebo in the 5th minute of play. After 8 played minutes ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA got a freekick which was hit by Timoteo Basualdo. Joel Gaona struck a weak shot in the 9th minute. Branislav Velchevski didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Mexico. Branislav Velchevski made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Lautaro Mancebo in the 13th minute of play. Joel Gaona recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 18th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Branislav Velchevski made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Lautaro Mancebo in the 21st minute of play. Branislav Velchevski took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Lautaro Mancebo, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 32 minutes into the match, ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's goal looked a bit too open when Joel Gaona came free, but Branislav Velchevski reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Branislav Velchevski took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Facundo Cadaval, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 40 minutes into the match, Lautaro Mancebo notched a goal, 0-1, to the right of ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's Branislav Velchevski. Branislav Velchevski was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. An unexpectedly hard shot by Lautaro Mancebo in the 42nd minute of play forced ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's goalkeeper Branislav Velchevski to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's Branislav Velchevski played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Joel Gaona in the 45th minute of play. 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 46th minute. 46 minutes into the game, Lorenzo Cazalla was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Mexico's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA the free kick. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-1 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Joel Gaona to strike the kick off in the second half. An unexpectedly hard shot by Joel Gaona in the 51st minute of play forced ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's goalkeeper Branislav Velchevski to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. With a little luck, ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's Branislav Velchevski got control of the ball when Lautaro Mancebo tried to sneak it across the goal line. ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's Branislav Velchevski played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Alberto Tafalla in the 54th minute of play. ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA made a substitution. Aristides Asteri replaced Arnaldo Gabon. 59 minutes into the match, Mexico's Alberto Tafalla sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Branislav Velchevski narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Joel Gaona fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 61st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Branislav Velchevski having to interfere. In the 63rd minute, Alberto Tafalla hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Branislav Velchevski took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Joel Gaona, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 74th minute Alberto Tafalla shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Branislav Velchevski saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 78th match minute, ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Rafael Dalmu to maneuver through the defense. Leonardo Leoz made in the 81st minute of the game a quick throw-in and Lautaro Mancebo immediately put the ball in play. Lautaro Mancebo scored 0-2 in the 85th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Branislav Velchevski, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Joel Gaona received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 89th minute. Branislav Velchevski tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After 91 minutes, Bonifacio Suarez mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA and the Mexico players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 91st minute, Bonifacio Suarez hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Mexico played a much better game than ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA and deserved their victory. The ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA players were clearly disappointed as they left the ground.