Challenge

Estadio Azteca
Spectators: 44 (Terracing: 34, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Mexico's Joel Gaona 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. An unexpectedly hard shot by Rodrigo-Sebastian Palacio in the 5th minute of play forced Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Dante Lacasa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Rodrigo-Sebastian Palacio in the 7th minute of play. Dante Lacasa showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Camillo Daniele, who was totally free with the ball in the 11th minute. 19 minutes into the match, Mexico's goal looked a bit too open when Rodrigo-Sebastian Palacio came free, but Dante Lacasa reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. When Rafaela FC's Rodrigo-Sebastian Palacio, in the 19th minute, received a pass right in front of the net, it looked like a certain goal, but his shot went outside. A wasted opportunity for Rafaela FC. After some careless play in the Rafaela FC defense, Joel Gaona kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Inocencio Veronica. The Rafaela FC fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Inocencio Veronica should have stopped the shot. 29 minutes into the match, Mexico's goal looked a bit too open when Camillo Daniele came free, but Dante Lacasa reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After a defensive mix-up in Mexico's zone, Camillo Daniele stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Dante Lacasa came out of the goal and Camillo Daniele tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. The audience thought a goal was coming when Lautaro Mancebo got free with Inocencio Veronica in the 32nd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Dante Lacasa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Camillo Daniele, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Luca Rouco hit a great freekick 41 minutes into the match. A collision led to Mexico getting a freekick after 42 minutes play. Lautaro Mancebo hit a great ball. In the 44th minute the ball was on its way in behind Rafaela FC's goalkeeper Inocencio Veronica, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Mexico's Dante Lacasa played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Emiliano Furia in the 47th minute of play. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 2-0 at half-time.

Inocencio Veronica took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Lautaro Mancebo, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Emiliano Furia kicked well hit freekick during the 52nd minute of the match. Lautaro Mancebo struck a weak shot in the 53rd minute. Inocencio Veronica didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Mexico. A collision led to Rafaela FC getting a freekick after 55 minutes play. Emiliano Furia hit a great ball. If Lautaro Mancebo had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 56th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Rafaela FC made a substitution. Octavio Gonzo replaced Eloy Gipuzkoa. Joel Gaona's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Inocencio Veronica read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 58th minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Alberto Tafalla in the 64th minute of play forced Rafaela FC's goalkeeper Inocencio Veronica to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Inocencio Veronica showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Luca Zorita in the 66th minute of the match. 67 minutes had been played when some careless play by Rafaela FC'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. Lautaro Mancebo was shown his second yellow card after 68 minutes, following a rather ugly tackle on opponent. That was the end of his participation in the match. The supporters of Rafaela FC booed when Mexico was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 68 match minutes in a wonderful position. Lautaro Mancebo didn't get a good kick on the ball. Rafaela FC's Inocencio Veronica played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Joel Gaona in the 70th minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Alberto Tafalla in the 72nd minute of play forced Rafaela FC's goalkeeper Inocencio Veronica to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Inocencio Veronica made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Joel Gaona in the 78th minute of play. Joel Gaona took the ball and in the 78 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Inocencio Veronica. Inocencio Veronica dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 3-0. Rafaela FC's Ubaldo Lluis was substituted for Basilio Guillerme. The supporters of Mexico booed when Rafaela FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 90 match minutes in a wonderful position. Ross Strong didn't get a good kick on the ball. A collision led to Rafaela FC getting a freekick after 92 minutes play. Esteve Iliana hit a great ball. Mexico's supporters were delighted with their team's performance and swarmed onto the pitch at the end of the match to celebrate the victory with the players.