Challenge

Estadio Nacional
Spectators: 44 (Terracing: 34, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) PiCaNTeS FC's Everardo Calvino 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. Alexander Carballo hit a great freekick 5 minutes into the match. The referee blew the whistle for a penalty in the 9th minute of the game. One of Costa Rica:s players had nearly got his shirt torn off by an opponent while getting free in front of PiCaNTeS FC:s goal. The supporters of PiCaNTeS FC booed when Costa Rica was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 11 match minutes in a wonderful position. Juan Rubio didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 12th minute, Everardo Calvino made a precise shot to the right of Benito Sanz. Costa Rica's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 0-1. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Everardo Calvino in the 15th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Benito Sanz prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Rodrigo De Paul took the ball and in the 16 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Benito Sanz. Benito Sanz dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 0-2. Everardo Calvino fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 20th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Benito Sanz having to interfere. In the 21st minute, Rodrigo De Paul 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. Juan Foyth hit a great freekick 25 minutes into the match. In the 27th minute, Alan Moruga hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Leo Messi took the ball and in the 28 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Benito Sanz. Benito Sanz dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 0-3. The audience thought a goal was coming when Lautaro Puig got free with Alfredo Otoniel in the 31st minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Everardo Calvino recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 32nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Lautaro Puig sent away a hard shot on goal in the 36th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. After a rather tough play, Costa Rica's Axel Tasis got a free kick in the 42nd minute. Benito Sanz showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Leo Messi, who was totally free with the ball in the 43rd minute. 45 minutes into the game, PiCaNTeS FC's Leo Messi nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Benito Sanz made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-4. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-4 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Axel Tasis was the one to do the kick off. With a little luck, Costa Rica's Benito Sanz got control of the ball when Sixto Ignazio tried to sneak it across the goal line. Costa Rica's Benito Sanz played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Leo Messi in the 55th minute of play. PiCaNTeS FC's Nicanor Elodio was substituted for Carlos Valderrama. After 57 minutes Costa Rica's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Rodrigo De Paul who took care of the corner kick. Costa Rica's Benito Sanz proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 59th minute of the match, managed to save Costa Rica from getting a goal against them. When the match had gone on for 68 minutes, Leo Messi put it in 0-6 from a short distance just to the right of Benito Sanz. Leo Messi sent away a hard shot on goal in the 71st minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. The audience thought a goal was coming when Leo Messi got free with Benito Sanz in the 73rd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Benito Sanz made a fantastic save in the 75th minute, when Sixto Ignazio sent off a good shot on target. 78 minutes into the match, Costa Rica's goalkeeper Benito Sanz had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Leo Messi. Alfredo Otoniel made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Axel Tasis in the 79th minute of play. Costa Rica's Benito Sanz proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 81st minute of the match, managed to save Costa Rica from getting a goal against them. In the 84th minute, Nicanor Elodio 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. Leo Messi received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 85th minute. Benito Sanz tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. The audience thought a goal was coming when Everardo Calvino got free with Benito Sanz in the 87th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Alfredo Otoniel took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Axel Tasis, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 96th minute Nicanor Elodio suffered a knee injury and had to be helped off the field. Aaron Alcocer charged in rather forcefully in the 96th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Aaron Alcocer the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. PiCaNTeS FC's Ovidio Ignazio was substituted for Nicanor Elodio. When the match was over PiCaNTeS FC could go home with a victory in their luggage, having controlled the game far better than Costa Rica throughout the match.