Challenge

Estadio Nacional
Spectators: 45 (Terracing: 35, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Marcel Molodețiu kicked off to start the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Laurențiu Floricel in the 3rd minute of play forced Costa Rica's goalkeeper Benito Sanz to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Tiberiu Andone received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 4th minute. Benito Sanz tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After 5 played minutes Costa Rica got a freekick which was hit by Alan Moruga. Axel Tasis kicked well hit freekick during the 7th minute of the match. Alan Moruga got his second yellow card in the match during the 8th minute which meant that he had to leave the ground. After 9 played minutes Costa Rica got a freekick which was hit by Alan Moruga. An unexpectedly hard shot by Eugen Mănescu in the 14th minute of play forced Costa Rica's goalkeeper Benito Sanz to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 15th minute, GoooooL's goalie took a deep sigh of relief after Lautaro Puig fired away a hard shot that went just outside the left post. Eliseo Noboa might have been able to make a better finish in the 17th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Mihăiţă Ştefulescu. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Eliseo Noboa ran back to his position shaking his head. Eliseo Noboa was extremely unlucky when he, in the 18th minute, took a shot that hit the right post and went out. Benito Sanz made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Marcel Molodețiu in the 20th minute of play. After 23 played minutes GoooooL got a freekick which was hit by Emanuel Cigu. Eliseo Noboa recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 24th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. 31 minutes into the match, Costa Rica's goal looked a bit too open when Tiberiu Andone came free, but Benito Sanz reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. GoooooL's Emanuel Cigu got a good chance for a goal in the 33rd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Benito Sanz made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Marcel Molodețiu in the 46th minute of play. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 0-0 after a close first half.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Eliseo Noboa to strike the kick off in the second half. 52 minutes into the game, Abel Carballo was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Costa Rica's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave GoooooL the free kick. The supporters of GoooooL booed when Costa Rica was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 52 match minutes in a wonderful position. Abel Carballo didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 54th minute Tiberiu Andone shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Benito Sanz saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After 57 played minutes Costa Rica got a freekick which was hit by Axel Tasis. With a little luck, Costa Rica's Benito Sanz got control of the ball when Marcel Molodețiu tried to sneak it across the goal line. After 74 played minutes Costa Rica got a freekick which was hit by Abel Carballo. With a little luck, Costa Rica's Benito Sanz got control of the ball when Marcel Molodețiu tried to sneak it across the goal line. Costa Rica's Benito Sanz proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 81st minute of the match, managed to save Costa Rica from getting a goal against them. 91 minutes into the game, Lucrețiu Istrătescu recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Benito Sanz. Lucrețiu Istrătescu showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 0-1. The audience thought a goal was coming when Eugen Mănescu got free with Benito Sanz in the 94th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. GoooooL played a much better game than Costa Rica and deserved their victory. The Costa Rica players were clearly disappointed as they left the ground.