Challenge

Estadio Azteca
Spectators: 45 (Terracing: 35, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Joel Gaona made the kick off which started today's match. The audience was convinced that Fulvio Grande's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Dante Lacasa was relentless in the 7th minute of the game. S.S.C. NAPOLI's Achille Albanesi played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Alberto Tafalla in the 8th minute of play. Dante Lacasa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Fulvio Grande, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. S.S.C. NAPOLI's Achille Albanesi proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 16th minute of the match, managed to save S.S.C. NAPOLI from getting a goal against them. If Lautaro Mancebo had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 21st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Alberto Tafalla received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 24th minute. Achille Albanesi tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Ciccio Bassani took the ball and in the 29 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 0-2. With a little luck, S.S.C. NAPOLI's Achille Albanesi got control of the ball when Alberto Tafalla tried to sneak it across the goal line. In the 38th minute, Mexico's Lorenzo Cazalla seemed to kick out at an opponent. The referee saw this and, surprisingly, showed Lorenzo Cazalla the red card, dismissing him from the pitch. The coaching staff of Mexico protested bitterly, but the referee would have none of it, and Lorenzo Cazalla had no choice but to slowly walk off the pitch. 37 minutes into the game, one of Mexico:s players got tackled near the goal, and the referee blew for a penalty. S.S.C. NAPOLI's Achille Albanesi played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Facundo Cadaval in the 41st 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 42nd minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Fulvio Muzzolon in the 45th minute of play forced Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Fulvio Muzzolon took the ball and in the 45 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 0-3. Disappointed in the 0-3 score, the home team went to the dressing room to adjust tactics for the second half.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Fulvio Muzzolon was the one to do the kick off. An unexpectedly hard shot by Lautaro Mancebo in the 59th minute of play forced S.S.C. NAPOLI's goalkeeper Achille Albanesi to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Fulvio Grande in the 64th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Dante Lacasa saved Mexico from getting behind. 65 minutes into the match, Mexico's Alberto Tafalla sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Achille Albanesi narrowly saved just below the crossbar. S.S.C. NAPOLI's Dave Pierucci was substituted for Richard Nixon. 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 68th minute. Joel Gaona made a great header on Mexico's corner, it was just that S.S.C. NAPOLI's Achille Albanesi managed to reach the ball for a save. 70 minutes into the match, Dave Pierucci dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Dante Lacasa, 0-5. An unexpectedly hard shot by Lautaro Mancebo in the 75th minute of play forced S.S.C. NAPOLI's goalkeeper Achille Albanesi to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 77th minute, Fabrício Carmo hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Achille Albanesi took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Lautaro Mancebo, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 82 minutes into the match, Mexico's Luca Zorita sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Achille Albanesi narrowly saved just below the crossbar. After 83 minutes S.S.C. NAPOLI'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. Ciccio Bassani could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 85th minute of the match, but Dante Lacasa made a huge save. Lautaro Mancebo's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Achille Albanesi read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 86th minute of play. Alberto Tafalla received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 89th minute. Achille Albanesi tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 91 minutes into the match, Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Dave Pierucci. Ciccio Bassani took the ball and in the 95 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 0-6. When the final whistle was heard the away supporters stood up and showed their joy. S.S.C. NAPOLI had managed to secure a win in what was a close match throughout.