Challenge

ACR Olimpico
Spectators: 45 (Terracing: 35, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Joel Gaona kicked off to start the match. When Luca Zorita came up free with the goalie in the 6th minute, the Mexico 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 Luca Zorita couldn't finish the play. Javier Della Francesca who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 14thth minute tested the skills of Dante Lacasa when he managed to save the team from getting behind. With a little luck, Mexico's Dante Lacasa got control of the ball when Alvaro Sforza tried to sneak it across the goal line. After some careless play in the Mexico defense, Javier Della Francesca kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Dante Lacasa. The Mexico fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Dante Lacasa should have stopped the shot. If Alvaro Sforza had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 27th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. An unexpectedly hard shot by Alvaro Sforza in the 27th minute of play forced Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 33rd match minute, Mexico was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Lorenzo Cazalla to maneuver through the defense. Mexico's Dante Lacasa played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Alvaro Sforza in the 34th minute of play. A collision led to AC Roma getting a freekick after 37 minutes play. Alessio Odisio hit a great ball. Cristoforo Brillante showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Luca Zorita, who was totally free with the ball in the 39th minute. A collision led to Mexico getting a freekick after 43 minutes play. Macos Graciani hit a great ball. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 1-0 at half-time.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Alvaro Sforza to make the kick off. Alberto Tafalla's shot straight on target was not completely harmless. The ball had pretty good speed, but Cristoforo Brillante firmly grabbed it by the left post. 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 52nd minute. In the 73rd match minute, Mexico was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Macos Graciani to maneuver through the defense. Cristoforo Brillante made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Alberto Tafalla in the 75th minute of play. Facundo Cadaval kicked well hit freekick during the 86th minute of the match. After having played for 87 minutes, Javier Della Francesca managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. AC Roma's supporters crossed their fingers, but Javier Della Francesca was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Dante Lacasa showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Javier Della Francesca, who was totally free with the ball in the 89th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Javier Della Francesca in the 91st minute of play forced Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The home crowd let out a huge roar when the referee blew for the end of the game. AC Roma were victorious despite being under pressure from Mexico for much of the match.