Challenge

Estadio Nacional
Spectators: 45 (Terracing: 35, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) In the 2nd minute Alberigo Gianfrancesco shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Benito Sanz saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Ernesto Minichiello in the 4th minute of play forced Costa Rica's goalkeeper Benito Sanz to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 6 minutes into the match, Alberigo Gianfrancesco notched a goal, 0-1, to the right of Costa Rica's Benito Sanz. Benito Sanz was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. The audience was convinced that Ernesto Minichiello's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Benito Sanz was relentless in the 9th minute of the game. When XMAS's Ernesto Minichiello in the 9th minute got a chance for a shot 9th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Costa Rica's goalie prevented a goal. XMAS were awarded a corner in the 10th minute after Costa Rica's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Ferruccio Cesaroni took the corner. If Lautaro Puig had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 12th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. If Eliseo Noboa had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 15th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Costa Rica's Benito Sanz played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Alberigo Gianfrancesco in the 17th minute of play. Ennio De Nardis blasted a shot towards the goal in the 20th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Benito Sanz having to make a save. When the match clock showed 21 minutes, the score became 0-2 when Ernesto Minichiello sped through Costa Rica's defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of Benito Sanz. Benito Sanz showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Ernesto Minichiello, who was totally free with the ball in the 28th minute. After 33 played minutes Costa Rica got a freekick which was hit by Alan Moruga. 35 minutes into the match, Ernesto Minichiello notched a goal, 0-3, to the right of Costa Rica's Benito Sanz. Benito Sanz was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Lautaro Puig hit a great freekick 39 minutes into the match. Armando Polidori made an important save on a dangerous shot by Axel Tasis in the 43rd minute. Axel Tasis sent away a hard shot on goal in the 46th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance.

When the match had gone on for 61 minutes, Ernesto Minichiello put it in 0-5 from a short distance just to the right of Benito Sanz. After some fancy dribbling in the 64th minute, Axel Tasis managed to get in a good position for a shot. Costa Rica's supporters rose to their feet, but Axel Tasis was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Armando Polidori breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. XMAS's Armando Polidori played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Lautaro Puig in the 68th minute of play. In the 70th minute, Axel Tasis 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. 74 minutes into the match, Ernesto Minichiello had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Benito Sanz. Costa Rica's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Ernesto Minichiello was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-6. The crowd rose to their feet as XMAS's Ernesto Minichiello slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Benito Sanz. That made the score 0-7 after 78 minutes of play. Alberigo Gianfrancesco's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Benito Sanz read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 81st minute of play. After 81 minutes, Abel Carballo mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Costa Rica and the XMAS players grew even worse after the yellow card. Abel Carballo hit a great freekick 81 minutes into the match. Lautaro Puig fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 84th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Armando Polidori having to interfere. Axel Tasis received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 86th minute. Armando Polidori tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. A collision led to Costa Rica getting a freekick after 90 minutes play. Aaron Alcocer hit a great ball. When XMAS's Ernesto Minichiello in the 91st minute got a chance for a shot 91st didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Costa Rica's goalie prevented a goal. After a defensive mix-up in XMAS's zone, Eliseo Noboa stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Armando Polidori came out of the goal and Eliseo Noboa tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. XMAS's players went to the stands to thank the travelling support. The fan's backing had helped spurr the team on to a fine performance that won them the match.