National Team Friendly

National Stadium
Spectators: 10302 (Terracing: 7727, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) In the 3rd minute, Homero Azteca hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Mislav Oršić in the 7th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Atilano Benat prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Ivan Krile was out of position in the 8 minute of play, and Tom Misaki capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Tom Misaki really showed his touch with that goal: 1-0. Mislav Oršić received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 12th minute. Atilano Benat tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. The supporters of U21 Croatia booed when U21 Mexico was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 15 match minutes in a wonderful position. Tom Misaki didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 17th minute Mislav Oršić shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Atilano Benat saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After a rather tough play, U21 Mexico's Homero Azteca got a free kick in the 23rd minute. The audience cheered when Bo Cantona's long shot passed Atilano Benat's right side. It was 1-1, 23 minutes into the match. The crowd rose to their feet as U21 Mexico's Tom Misaki slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Ivan Krile. That made the score 2-2 after 31 minutes of play. With a little luck, U21 Croatia's Ivan Krile got control of the ball when Tom Misaki tried to sneak it across the goal line. After having played for 35 minutes, Toni Mačković managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. U21 Croatia's supporters crossed their fingers, but Toni Mačković was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 41st minute Franjo Fabijanić shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Atilano Benat saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Toni Mačković during the 41st minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 41st minute, Toni Mačković hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. With a little luck, U21 Croatia's Ivan Krile got control of the ball when Tom Misaki tried to sneak it across the goal line. In the 43rd minute of the match U21 Mexico got a corner. U21 Croatia's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Gregorio Martxot ran over to the corner to take the kick. The corner led U21 Mexico's Gregorio Martxot to fire away a dangerous shot which Ivan Krile despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. Atilano Benat stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Bo Cantona's shot from short distance in the 47th minute. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Tom Misaki to make the kick off. With a little luck, U21 Mexico's Atilano Benat got control of the ball when Mislav Oršić tried to sneak it across the goal line. When U21 Mexico's Cesc Fabregas in the 56th minute got a chance for a shot 56th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye U21 Croatia's goalie prevented a goal. U21 Croatia's Vlaho Ćavar was substituted for Siniša Stjepanović. U21 Croatia's Hrvoje Lukašek was substituted for Sofyan Amrabat. Ivan Krile didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Tom Misaki went, in the 67th minute, to the upper right corner, 4-2 was the resulting score. U21 Mexico made a substitution. Desiderio Rami replaced Jaime Estebano. Atilano Benat made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Mislav Oršić in the 73rd minute of play. After a rather tough play, U21 Mexico's Cesc Fabregas got a free kick in the 74th minute. U21 Mexico were awarded a corner in the 78th minute after U21 Croatia's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Cecilio Feliz took the corner. After 80 minutes U21 Croatia's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Cecilio Feliz who took care of the corner kick. The corner led U21 Mexico's Cecilio Feliz to fire away a dangerous shot which Ivan Krile despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. Atilano Benat took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Bo Ibrahimović, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Ivan Krile made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Desiderio Rami in the 82nd minute of play. In the 90th match minute, U21 Croatia was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Bo Nesta to maneuver through the defense. In the 91st minute, Desiderio Rami made a precise shot to the right of Ivan Krile. U21 Croatia's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 5-2. When the referee blew the final whistle, U21 Mexico could leave the field as winners, despite U21 Croatia having more of the ball for most of the match.