National Team Friendly

National stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) Mexico's Romulo Gelacio started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Abel Perez took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Felice Signori, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. A collision led to Mexico getting a freekick after 6 minutes play. Adan Zapata hit a great ball. Angelo Peruzzi showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Eduardo Loreto in the 9th minute of the match. When Felice Signori came up free with the goalie in the 10th minute, the Italy fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Felice Signori couldn't finish the play. Italy's Angelo Peruzzi proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 16th minute of the match, managed to save Italy from getting a goal against them. If Romulo Gelacio had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 18th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. In the 18th minute Romulo Gelacio shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Angelo Peruzzi saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Angelo Peruzzi made an important save on a dangerous shot by Pakin Murillo in the 20th minute. Romulo Gelacio could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 21st minute of the match, but Angelo Peruzzi made a huge save. After 23 minutes Italy's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Saturnino Botello who took care of the corner kick. Abel Perez came out of the goal in the 30th minute to try and stop a shot by Italy's Alfredo Reggianini. But to his dismay, Alfredo Reggianini quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 1-1. 36 minutes into the game, Felice Signori cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-2. Abel Perez was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. The crowd was extremely unhappy with the home team's performance in the first half. They were losing 1-3.

Mexico's Gabriel Motowski was substituted for Romulo Gelacio. Mexico's Abel Perez proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 55th minute of the match, managed to save Mexico from getting a goal against them. Mexico's Abel Perez played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Alfredo Reggianini in the 61st minute of play. Angelo Peruzzi made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Gabriel Motowski in the 63rd minute of play. 63 minutes into the game, Mexico's Gabriel Motowski nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Angelo Peruzzi made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 2-3. Italy made a substitution. Alessandro Bianchi replaced Alvaro Lemma. With a little luck, Mexico's Abel Perez got control of the ball when Donato Armellini tried to sneak it across the goal line. When Italy's Donato Armellini in the 75th minute got a chance for a shot 75th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Mexico's goalie prevented a goal. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Donato Armellini in the 76th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Abel Perez saved Mexico from getting behind. 78 minutes into the match, Mexico's Paco Murillo sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Angelo Peruzzi narrowly saved just below the crossbar. 79 minutes had been played when some careless play by Italy's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Saturnino Botello was slow to take the kick. During this time Mexico's players had a chance to rest. In the 79th minute, Herminio Prejun hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Abel Perez made a fantastic save in the 84th minute, when Edmondo Orsini sent off a good shot on target. Abel Perez stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Donato Armellini's shot from short distance in the 85th minute. In the 88th match minute, Italy was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Elia Cucci to maneuver through the defense. Abel Perez took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Donato Armellini, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. If Daniele Grifoni had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 92nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 94thth minute of the game Donato Armellini who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Mexico's Abel Perez was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. The away crowd were delighted with the way their team had played and cheered loudly when the final whistle sounded. Italy walked away with the win, even though the match was close until the end.