Challenge

Estadio Azteca
Spectators: 44 (Terracing: 34, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Joel Gaona started the match with the kick off. Joel Gaona might have been able to make a better finish in the 9th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Enzo Shantala. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Joel Gaona ran back to his position shaking his head. An unexpectedly hard shot by Alberto Tafalla in the 11th minute of play forced Howling Dawn U18's goalkeeper Enzo Shantala to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Alberto Tafalla in the 11th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Enzo Shantala prevented the ball from getting in the gole. In the 14th minute of the match Mexico got a corner. Howling Dawn U18's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Joel Gaona ran over to the corner to take the kick. After taking down the ball on Mexico's corner Macos Graciani fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Enzo Shantala quite easily take care of the ball. Luca Zorita received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 16th minute. Enzo Shantala tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After 17 minutes, Hernan Azibar mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Howling Dawn U18 and the Mexico players grew even worse after the yellow card. After 17 played minutes Howling Dawn U18 got a freekick which was hit by Hernan Azibar. Enzo Shantala showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Joel Gaona in the 19th minute of the match. Howling Dawn U18's Enzo Shantala proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 21st minute of the match, managed to save Howling Dawn U18 from getting a goal against them. In the 22nd minute Lun Luna shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Dante Lacasa saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 26 minutes into the game, Alberto Tafalla cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-1. Enzo Shantala was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. 31 minutes into the game, Joel Gaona cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 2-1. Enzo Shantala was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. A collision led to Howling Dawn U18 getting a freekick after 38 minutes play. Teofilo Oriol hit a great ball. Enzo Shantala took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Alberto Tafalla, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Teofilo Oriol hit a great freekick 44 minutes into the match. If Lautaro Mancebo had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 45th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 2-1.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Astor Barbosa was the one to do the kick off. Dante Lacasa showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Lun Luna in the 52nd minute of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Astor Barbosa in the 54th minute of play forced Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Alberto Tafalla recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 55th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. In the 59th minute, Leonardo Leoz hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 61 minutes into the game, Lautaro Mancebo cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 4-1. Enzo Shantala was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Enzo Shantala made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Alberto Tafalla in the 64th minute of play. In the 67th minute Lautaro Mancebo shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Enzo Shantala saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Enzo Shantala showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Luca Zorita in the 68th minute of the match. 72 minutes into the match, Luca Rouco had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Enzo Shantala. Howling Dawn U18's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Luca Rouco was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 5-1. Howling Dawn U18's Baldomiro Jerrald was substituted for Lun Luna. Leonardo Leoz's late challenge caught a Howling Dawn U18's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Leonardo Leoz helped the player get up and apologised. After 80 played minutes Mexico got a freekick which was hit by Leonardo Leoz. Howling Dawn U18's Mars Marte was substituted for Tobias Sol. After 81 played minutes Mexico got a freekick which was hit by Leonardo Leoz. It was no surprise that this one had ended in a win for the home team. Mexico had played much better football throughout.