Challenge

PARS STADIUM
Spectators: 42 (Terracing: 32, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Ecuador's Daniel Zorita 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. In the 6th minute, Daniel Zorita made a precise shot to the right of Gianluigi Donnarumma. PERSPOLIS's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 0-1. Agustín Saelices's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Gianluigi Donnarumma read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 8th minute of play. Ecuador were awarded a corner in the 9th minute after PERSPOLIS's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Daniel Zorita took the corner. A nice corner shot did that Daniel Zorita got away a dangerous shot. Despite this Gianluigi Donnarumma quite easily got ahold of the ball to make the save. Myles Powderham kicked well hit freekick during the 10th minute of the match. When Ecuador's Daniel Zorita in the 11th minute got a chance for a shot 11th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye PERSPOLIS's goalie prevented a goal. Cristian Sancho sent away a hard shot on goal in the 18th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Gianluigi Donnarumma took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Cristian Sancho, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 21 minutes into the match, Ecuador's Daniel Zorita sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Gianluigi Donnarumma narrowly saved just below the crossbar. After 23 minutes PERSPOLIS's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Daniel Zorita who took care of the corner kick. Ecuador's Julio Vera played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Ingmar Bergman in the 26th minute of play. Gianluigi Donnarumma took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Daniel Zorita, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 33rd minute, Daniel Zorita left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Ecuador fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-2. 38 minutes into the match, Ecuador's goal looked a bit too open when Mihovil Štibić came free, but Julio Vera reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Julio Vera didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Mihovil Štibić went, in the 38th minute, to the upper right corner, 2-2 was the resulting score. Cordarell Guasch hit a great freekick 41 minutes into the match. In the 43rd minute, Juan Sebastián Puig hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Julio Vera made an important save on a dangerous shot by Cipriano Ganix in the 44th minute. 46 minutes into the match, PERSPOLIS's Ingmar Bergman sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Julio Vera narrowly saved just below the crossbar. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Ingmar Bergman stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. After 51 minutes, Constantino Salgado mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the PERSPOLIS and the Ecuador players grew even worse after the yellow card. After a rather tough play, PERSPOLIS's Constantino Salgado got a free kick in the 51st minute. Gianluigi Donnarumma was in exellent shape and made a fantastic save when he, in the 52nd minute of the match, managed to get hold of the ball after a long shot from Daniel Zorita. Gianluigi Donnarumma made an important save on a dangerous shot by Cristian Sancho in the 56th minute. From close distance Daniel Zorita pressed in the 2-4 goal high up into nets stiches in the right cross 57 minutes into the game. In the 62nd minute, Daniel Zorita got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. 65 minutes into the match, Felix Montenegro dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Gianluigi Donnarumma, 2-5. Daniel Zorita received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 70th minute. Gianluigi Donnarumma tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. PERSPOLIS's Cordarell Guasch got his second yellow card of the match in the 73rd minute. The referee ordered Cordarell Guasch off the ground. Gianluigi Donnarumma had in the 75thth minute some difficulties stopping Daniel Zorita's well aimed penalty as it nearly passed him on his left side, but he still managed to hold the ball. Ecuador were awarded a corner in the 78th minute after PERSPOLIS's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Daniel Zorita took the corner. In the 80th minute Cristian Sancho shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Gianluigi Donnarumma saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. A collision led to PERSPOLIS getting a freekick after 82 minutes play. Cipriano Ganix hit a great ball. PERSPOLIS made a substitution. Facundo Feria replaced Cipriano Ganix. PERSPOLIS made a substitution. Pedro León replaced Myles Powderham. The supporters of Ecuador booed when PERSPOLIS was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 84 match minutes in a wonderful position. Cipriano Ganix didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 84th minute Daniel Zorita shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Gianluigi Donnarumma saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 85th minute the ball was on its way in behind PERSPOLIS's goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. When Daniel Zorita came up free with the goalie in the 86th minute, the Ecuador fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Daniel Zorita couldn't finish the play. Cristian Sancho sent away a hard shot on goal in the 89th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Daniel Zorita recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 96th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After having played for 97 minutes, Cristian Sancho managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Ecuador's supporters crossed their fingers, but Cristian Sancho was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Ecuador played a much better game than PERSPOLIS and deserved their victory. The PERSPOLIS players were clearly disappointed as they left the ground.