Challenge

El Monumental
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Joel Gaona took the kick off in the first half of the match. In the 7th minute, Joel Gaona left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Mexico fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 0-1. Joel Gaona blasted a shot towards the goal in the 12th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Marcial Lordi having to make a save. RIVER's Marcial Lordi played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Joel Gaona in the 14th minute of play. Marcial Lordi made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Lautaro Mancebo in the 16th minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Joel Gaona in the 21st minute of play forced RIVER's goalkeeper Marcial Lordi to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Dante Lacasa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Niki Lauda in the 23rd minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Lautaro Mancebo in the 25th minute of play forced RIVER's goalkeeper Marcial Lordi to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Luca Zorita's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Marcial Lordi read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 27th minute of play. In the 31st minute the ball was on its way in behind RIVER's goalkeeper Marcial Lordi, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. RIVER's Marcial Lordi played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Joel Gaona in the 32nd minute of play. The supporters of RIVER booed when Mexico was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 38 match minutes in a wonderful position. Leonardo Leoz didn't get a good kick on the ball. Marcial Lordi took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Alberto Tafalla, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Mexico's Dante Lacasa played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Niki Lauda in the 42nd minute of play. Mexico's Dante Lacasa proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 45th minute of the match, managed to save Mexico from getting a goal against them. Luca Zorita recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 48th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. RIVER's Tobias Belmiro was substituted for Bruno Oxarra. 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 players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Niki Lauda stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. RIVER's Marcial Lordi proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 54th minute of the match, managed to save RIVER from getting a goal against them. After a rather tough play, RIVER's Domingo Remigio got a free kick in the 58th minute. RIVER made a substitution. Pipo Benedetto replaced Eric Târban. The supporters of Mexico booed when RIVER was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 59 match minutes in a wonderful position. Domingo Remigio didn't get a good kick on the ball. 62 minutes into the match, Joel Gaona notched a goal, 0-2, to the right of RIVER's Marcial Lordi. Marcial Lordi was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Marcial Lordi showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Lautaro Mancebo, who was totally free with the ball in the 72nd minute. A collision led to RIVER getting a freekick after 80 minutes play. Giovanni Lenhardt hit a great ball. In the 83rd minute the ball was on its way in behind RIVER's goalkeeper Marcial Lordi, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. In the 86th minute Joel Gaona shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Marcial Lordi saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. RIVER's Wu Li Zhi was substituted for Niki Lauda. Luca Zorita was in a good position and managed to take a shot, but he missed just to the outside of the post. 92 minutes had been played when some careless play by RIVER's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Joel Gaona was slow to take the kick. During this time Mexico's players had a chance to rest. Mexico's Joel Gaona was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Marcial Lordi in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. Joel Gaona fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 95th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Marcial Lordi having to interfere. Joel Gaona kicked well hit freekick during the 97th minute of the match. Mexico played a much better game than RIVER and deserved their victory. The RIVER players were clearly disappointed as they left the ground.