National Team Friendly

National stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) Oliver Bierhoff struck a weak shot in the 6th minute. Johnny Ibarra didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Italy. Johnny Ibarra took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Oliver Bierhoff, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. An unexpectedly hard shot by Oliver Bierhoff in the 15th minute of play forced Ecuador's goalkeeper Johnny Ibarra to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After some fancy dribbling in the 16th minute, Ximenez Gort managed to get in a good position for a shot. Ecuador's supporters rose to their feet, but Ximenez Gort was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Ciccio Bocchi breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Italy's Christian Cinque managed, thanks to a brazen rush, stole the ball on a throw-in made by Castro Lugardo in the 18 minute of the game. Oliver Bierhoff scored 0-1 in the 20th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Johnny Ibarra, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Ecuador's Castro Lugardo quite brazenly broke a throw-in by Cristiano Cordone, made in the 25th minute of the game. After some careless play in the Italy defense, Ximenez Gort kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Ciccio Bocchi. The Italy fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Ciccio Bocchi should have stopped the shot. Zilar Aleson kicked well hit freekick during the 34th minute of the match. Ciccio Bocchi took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Ximenez Gort, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Oliver Bierhoff took the ball and in the 44 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Johnny Ibarra. Johnny Ibarra dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-3. The throw-in from Cristiano Cordone in the 47th minute of the game was unfortunally taken care of by Ecuador's Castro Lugardo. The crowd was extremely unhappy with the home team's performance in the first half. They were losing 1-3.

55 minutes into the game, Oliver Bierhoff cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-4. Johnny Ibarra was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. After 60 minutes of play, Ecuador's Ximenez Gort made it 2-4 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Ciccio Bocchi was left in no man's land by his defense there! Ecuador's Alejandro Espina was substituted for Ximenez Gort. Italy's Fortunato Froněk was substituted for Oliver Bierhoff. Ecuador made a substitution. Urki Regalado replaced Lorenzo Acutain. Castro Lugardo made in the 65th minute of the game a fairly good throw-in which was taken care of by Urki Regalado. Alejandro Espina sent away a hard shot on goal in the 69th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. 69 minutes into the match, Italy's goal looked a bit too open when Alejandro Espina came free, but Ciccio Bocchi reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. With an all-out effort, Italy's Johnny Ibarra threw himself towards the right post 70 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Fortunato Froněk, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. In the 72nd match minute, Ecuador was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Castro Lugardo to maneuver through the defense. An unexpectedly hard shot by Fortunato Froněk in the 79th minute of play forced Ecuador's goalkeeper Johnny Ibarra to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. José-Francisco Durazno made in the 81st minute of the game a sloppy throw-in which Urki Regalado however managed to control. 86 minutes into the match, Ecuador's goalkeeper Johnny Ibarra had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Mattia Hummels. Ciccio Bocchi made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Urki Regalado in the 87th minute of play. Fortunato Froněk scored 2-5 in the 96th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Johnny Ibarra, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. The Italy supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing Italy would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.