Challenge

Nilton Santos
Spectators: 41 (Terracing: 32, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Dudu Meira took the kick off in the first half of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Lautaro Mancebo in the 2nd minute of play forced Estrela Solitária's goalkeeper Benjamim Dante to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Joel Gaona in the 6th minute of play forced Estrela Solitária's goalkeeper Benjamim Dante to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Mexico's Lautaro Mancebo got a good chance for a goal in the 12th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Estrela Solitária's Benjamim Dante played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Joel Gaona in the 15th minute of play. Dante Lacasa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Dudu Meira, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. When the match had gone on for 20 minutes, Sandrinho Hoffmann took a quick shot and it went in 1-0 without a chance for Dante Lacasa to make any attempt to save it. Benjamim Dante didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Alberto Tafalla went, in the 23rd minute, to the upper right corner, 1-1 was the resulting score. In the 27th minute Alberto Tafalla shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Benjamim Dante saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Benjamim Dante showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Joel Gaona, who was totally free with the ball in the 29th minute. Benjamim Dante made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Alberto Tafalla in the 31st minute of play. A collision led to Estrela Solitária getting a freekick after 35 minutes play. Dudu Meira hit a great ball. Luca Zorita struck a weak shot in the 37th minute. Benjamim Dante didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Mexico. 39 minutes into the match, Mexico's Joel Gaona sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Benjamim Dante narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Joel Gaona sent away a hard shot on goal in the 40th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The supporters of Mexico booed when Estrela Solitária was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 43 match minutes in a wonderful position. Pedro Luiz Ferreira didn't get a good kick on the ball. Joel Gaona took a chance and fired a shot far from the goal in the 44th minute, but it turned out to be a dangerous situation for Benjamim Dante. Estrela Solitária's goalkeeper really had to stretch himself to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. In the 46th minute Dudu Meira 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. The first half was very even, with the score at 1-1 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

Estrela Solitária's Gerd Müller was substituted for Sandrinho Hoffmann. The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Joel Gaona stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. 53 minutes into the game, Mexico's Alberto Tafalla nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Benjamim Dante made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-2. Mexico were awarded a corner in the 61th minute after Estrela Solitária's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Joel Gaona took the corner. Felix Luque kicked well hit freekick during the 61st minute of the match. Estrela Solitária's Benjamim Dante played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Joel Gaona in the 63rd minute of play. In the 71st minute the ball was on its way in behind Estrela Solitária's goalkeeper Benjamim Dante, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Benjamim Dante didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Joel Gaona went, in the 83rd minute, to the upper right corner, 1-4 was the resulting score. Benjamim Dante made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Joel Gaona in the 86th minute of play. Benjamim Dante made an important save on a dangerous shot by Lautaro Mancebo in the 88th minute. Dante Lacasa showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Gerd Müller, who was totally free with the ball in the 89th minute. The Estrela Solitária fans had already started to leave before the final whistle blew. Mexico were clearly better and deserved to take the win.