Challenge

PARS STADIUM
Spectators: 42 (Terracing: 32, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) PERSPOLIS's Ingmar Bergman started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. 3 minutes into the game, Agustín Saelices cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-1. Gianluigi Donnarumma was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Gianluigi Donnarumma made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Daniel Zorita in the 6th minute of play. In the 8th minute, Cipriano Ganix made a precise shot to the right of Julio Vera. Ecuador's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 1-1. Cristian Sancho received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 15th minute. Gianluigi Donnarumma tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Gianluigi Donnarumma showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Agustín Saelices, who was totally free with the ball in the 21st minute. Gianluigi Donnarumma showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Daniel Zorita in the 22nd minute of the match. Agustín Saelices sent away a hard shot on goal in the 31st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Gianluigi Donnarumma showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Daniel Zorita, who was totally free with the ball in the 35th minute. Julio Vera took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Myles Powderham, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After a defensive mix-up in PERSPOLIS's zone, Cristian Sancho stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Gianluigi Donnarumma came out of the goal and Cristian Sancho tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After 46 played minutes PERSPOLIS got a freekick which was hit by Cordarell Guasch. The crowd was extremely unhappy with the home team's performance in the first half. They were losing 1-2.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Daniel Zorita made a kick off. Julio Vera made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Mihovil Štibić in the 54th minute of play. In a very dangerous position, a player in PERSPOLIS fell when an opponent tried to get the ball from him in the 56th minute. Penalty! Cristian Sancho recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 60th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Cristian Sancho sent away a hard shot on goal in the 64th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 68 minutes into the match, PERSPOLIS's goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Daniel Zorita. Daniel Zorita could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 70th minute of the match, but Gianluigi Donnarumma made a huge save. Gianluigi Donnarumma showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Cristian Sancho in the 71st minute of the match. After a rather tough play, PERSPOLIS's Myles Powderham got a free kick in the 72nd minute. If Daniel Zorita had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 74th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. PERSPOLIS made a substitution. Pedro León replaced Myles Powderham. Primitivo Andino hit a great freekick 83 minutes into the match. Ingmar Bergman struck a weak shot in the 84th minute. Julio Vera didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for PERSPOLIS. In the 86th minute the ball was on its way in behind Ecuador's goalkeeper Julio Vera, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Ingmar Bergman's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Julio Vera read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 90th minute of play. Cristian Sancho fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 94th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Gianluigi Donnarumma having to interfere. Julio Vera made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Facundo Feria in the 96th minute of play. Primitivo Andino charged in rather forcefully in the 97th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Primitivo Andino the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Ecuador's fans were overjoyed with their teams well-earned victory and stayed in the stadium long after the final whistle to celebrate the win.