Challenge

Angel Tulio Zof
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Central's Giovani Lo Celso 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 4th minute Mexico were awarded a corner. Joel Gaona went to the cornerflag to take it. The corner ended in Joel Gaona almost managing to get the ball behind the net, but Central's Salih Orus did a great save. An unexpectedly hard shot by Lautaro Mancebo in the 6th minute of play forced Central's goalkeeper Salih Orus to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 7th minute Mexico were awarded a corner. Joel Gaona went to the cornerflag to take it. With an all-out effort, Central's Dante Lacasa threw himself towards the right post 12 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Luisito Quintan, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. Dante Lacasa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Gelu Nicolau, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Lorenzo Cazalla hit a great freekick 17 minutes into the match. The audience was convinced that Giovani Lo Celso's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Dante Lacasa was relentless in the 18th minute of the game. An unexpectedly hard shot by Giovani Lo Celso in the 22nd minute of play forced Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Lorenzo Cazalla kicked well hit freekick during the 24th minute of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Gelu Nicolau in the 32nd minute of play forced Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 33 minutes into the match, Mexico's goal looked a bit too open when Giovani Lo Celso came free, but Dante Lacasa reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Dante Lacasa showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Luisito Quintan in the 35th minute of the match. In the 38th minute Alberto Tafalla shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Salih Orus saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Salih Orus took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Lautaro Mancebo, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 45th match minute, Mexico was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Joel Gaona to maneuver through the defense. After a rather tough play, Mexico's Luca Zorita got a free kick in the 46th minute.

Dante Lacasa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Giovani Lo Celso, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Dante Lacasa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Luisito Quintan, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 57th minute of the match, Lautaro Mancebo got a very nice opportunity to score, but Salih Orus was well-placed and pushed the ball away from the goal at the left post. After a defensive mix-up in Central's zone, Joel Gaona stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Salih Orus came out of the goal and Joel Gaona tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Luisito Quintan got in the 68th a clear chance and fired away a hard shot against goal, but Dante Lacasa handled the situation perfectly and made a save by the crossbar. Salih Orus had in the 71stth minute some difficulties stopping Joel Gaona's well aimed penalty as it nearly passed him on his left side, but he still managed to hold the ball. After 72 minutes Central'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. The corner led Mexico's Joel Gaona to fire away a dangerous shot which Salih Orus despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. In the 78th match minute, Central was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Julio Ekaitz to maneuver through the defense. Lautaro Mancebo struck a weak shot in the 80th minute. Salih Orus didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Mexico. Central's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Eugenio Vermudo in the 87th minute. The teams fought very hard right up to the final whistle. Both sets of players were happy to go away with a draw.