Challenge

Lusail
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Lion Messi got the match started through his kick off. In the 3rd minute, Guillermo Mariano hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 5th minute, Rigoberto Mina hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Leandro Paredes might have been able to make a better finish in the 6th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Jonathan Ferrant. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Leandro Paredes ran back to his position shaking his head. A collision led to La Scaloneta getting a freekick after 7 minutes play. Giovani Lo Celso hit a great ball. Tomas Illescas fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 13th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Dibag Martinez having to interfere. In the 15th minute Lion Messi shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Jonathan Ferrant saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The audience thought a goal was coming when Lautaro Martinez got free with Jonathan Ferrant in the 16th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Dibag Martinez stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Tomas Illescas's shot from short distance in the 21st minute. Lautaro Martinez struck a weak shot in the 23rd minute. Jonathan Ferrant didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for La Scaloneta. Jonathan Ferrant made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Leandro Paredes in the 25th minute of play. In the 28th minute, Lautaro Martinez got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. After 29 minutes of play, the referee blew the whistle. It was a penalty for Venezuela! In the 31st minute, Lautaro Martinez made a precise shot to the right of Jonathan Ferrant. Venezuela's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 1-0. Marcos Acuña charged in rather forcefully in the 34th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Marcos Acuña the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Marcos Acuña hit a great freekick 35 minutes into the match. Lautaro Martinez received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Jonathan Ferrant came out and tried to block the shot, but Lautaro Martinez slotted it home off the left post making it 2-0 in the 39th minute. Af the end of the first half the score was 2-0. The first half had gone as expected for the home team.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Patricio Costa was the one to do the kick off. After a defensive mix-up in La Scaloneta's zone, Patricio Costa stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Dibag Martinez came out of the goal and Patricio Costa tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Venezuela's Jonathan Ferrant played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Leandro Paredes in the 62nd minute of play. In the 64th minute, Lautaro Martinez made a precise shot to the right of Jonathan Ferrant. Venezuela's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 3-0. 67 minutes into the game, Lautaro Martinez cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 4-0. Jonathan Ferrant was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. La Scaloneta's Julián Álvarez was substituted for Lion Messi. The supporters of La Scaloneta booed when Venezuela was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 73 match minutes in a wonderful position. Jose Correa didn't get a good kick on the ball. Patricio Costa sent away a hard shot on goal in the 77th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 79th minute, Lautaro Martinez left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The La Scaloneta fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 5-0. When La Scaloneta's Julián Álvarez in the 83rd minute got a chance for a shot 83rd didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Venezuela's goalie prevented a goal. 91 minutes into the match, Venezuela's goal looked a bit too open when Julián Álvarez came free, but Jonathan Ferrant reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Leandro Paredes sent away a hard shot on goal in the 93rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. There was no doubt that La Scaloneta were the better team. La Scaloneta's players enjoyed the ovations of the crowd after the victory.