Challenge

Estadio Azteca
Spectators: 45 (Terracing: 35, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Filip Pantiș took the kick off in the first half of the match. Eintracht Cernavoda's Ionică Corcoveanu played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Alberto Tafalla in the 2nd minute of play. Dante Lacasa stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Filip Pantiș's shot from short distance in the 8th minute. In the 10th minute Eintracht Cernavoda were awarded a corner. Philip Walter went to the cornerflag to take it. The corner ended in Yin Li Ying almost managing to get the ball behind the net, but Mexico's Dante Lacasa did a great save. After a rather tough play, Eintracht Cernavoda's Mihăiţă Jder got a free kick in the 12th minute. Leonardo Leoz made in the 14th minute of the game a throw-in that took a bad bounce and was taken care of by Eintracht Cernavoda's Huey Bom. Joel Gaona struck a weak shot in the 17th minute. Ionică Corcoveanu didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Mexico. Mexico were awarded a corner in the 20th minute after Eintracht Cernavoda's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Joel Gaona took the corner. After having played for 22 minutes, Alberto Tafalla managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Mexico's supporters crossed their fingers, but Alberto Tafalla was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Ionică Corcoveanu made an important save on a dangerous shot by Facundo Cadaval in the 24th minute. Joel Gaona took the ball and in the 27 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Ionică Corcoveanu. Ionică Corcoveanu dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-0. Filip Pantiș received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 35th minute. Dante Lacasa tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 42nd minute, Philip Walter hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Alberto Tafalla could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 46th minute of the match, but Ionică Corcoveanu made a huge save. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 1-0.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Joel Gaona made a kick off. Dante Lacasa showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Codrin Izbașa, who was totally free with the ball in the 55th minute. The audience thought a goal was coming when Yin Li Ying got free with Dante Lacasa in the 56th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. An unexpectedly hard shot by Alberto Tafalla in the 58th minute of play forced Eintracht Cernavoda's goalkeeper Ionică Corcoveanu to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Ionică Corcoveanu made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Alberto Tafalla in the 60th minute of play. In the 63rd minute, Alberto Tafalla made a precise shot to the right of Ionică Corcoveanu. Eintracht Cernavoda's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 2-0. An unexpectedly hard shot by Joel Gaona in the 66th minute of play forced Eintracht Cernavoda's goalkeeper Ionică Corcoveanu to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Lautaro Mancebo might have been able to make a better finish in the 68th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Ionică Corcoveanu. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Lautaro Mancebo ran back to his position shaking his head. Ionică Corcoveanu made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Lautaro Mancebo in the 71st minute of play. 74 minutes into the match, Mexico's goal looked a bit too open when Mikael Isak came free, but Dante Lacasa reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Dante Lacasa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Codrin Izbașa, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Ionică Corcoveanu showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Alberto Tafalla in the 81st minute of the match. Eintracht Cernavoda's Codrin Izbașa got a good chance for a goal in the 85th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. When Eintracht Cernavoda's Mikael Isak in the 88th minute got a chance for a shot 88th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Mexico's goalie prevented a goal. In the 94th minute of the match, Mikael Isak tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Dante Lacasa saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. Alberto Tafalla sent away a hard shot on goal in the 95th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. There was no doubt that Mexico were the better team. Mexico's players enjoyed the ovations of the crowd after the victory.