Challenge

National Stadium
Spectators: 45 (Terracing: 35, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Ulises Nueva kicked off to start the match. In the 4th minute Lucero Mezquita shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Cristoforo Taranto saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. UNITED's Vladimir Madariaga managed, thanks to a brazen rush, stole the ball on a throw-in made by Constancio Llinares in the 5 minute of the game. A hard shot 9 in the game by Roger Flor from a close distance when the talented Cristoforo Taranto managed to make a qualified save. UNITED's players were relieved. When UNITED's Ulises Nueva in the 12th minute got a chance for a shot 12th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye U21 Spain's goalie prevented a goal. An unexpectedly hard shot by Ulises Nueva in the 13th minute of play forced U21 Spain's goalkeeper Bernardo Vazquez to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 17th minute the ball was on its way in behind UNITED's goalkeeper Cristoforo Taranto, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. After 18 minutes UNITED's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Roger Flor who took care of the corner kick. In the 20th match minute, U21 Spain was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Roger Flor to maneuver through the defense. The audience thought a goal was coming when Lucero Mezquita got free with Cristoforo Taranto in the 24th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Bernardo Vazquez showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Ulises Nueva in the 26th minute of the match. Cristoforo Taranto made an important save on a dangerous shot by Ruy Carballeira in the 28th minute. In the 30th minute of the match, Ruy Carballeira tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Cristoforo Taranto saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. U21 Spain were furious when Eder Llorente was red carded, 32 minutes into the game, but the referee dismissed their protests. Bernardo Vazquez had in the 34thth minute some difficulties stopping Ulises Nueva's well aimed penalty as it nearly passed him on his left side, but he still managed to hold the ball. In the 36th minute C.J. La Marca shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Cristoforo Taranto saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 39th match minute, U21 Spain was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Guter Acosta to maneuver through the defense. In the 40th minute Tomás Guerra shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Bernardo Vazquez saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Cristoforo Taranto stood somewhat misplaced when C.J. La Marca came free in front of goal and shot 1-0 to the left of him in the 42 minute. A collision led to UNITED getting a freekick after 47 minutes play. Yu Bing Sha hit a great ball. UNITED made a substitution. César Xavier replaced Ulises Nueva. In the 49th match minute, UNITED was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Yu Bing Sha to maneuver through the defense. 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 1-0.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Roger Flor made a kick off. After some careless play in the UNITED defense, Roger Flor kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Cristoforo Taranto. The UNITED fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Cristoforo Taranto should have stopped the shot. In the 56th minute, Tomás Guerra hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Cristoforo Taranto made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from C.J. La Marca in the 67th minute of play. 75 minutes into the match, UNITED's goal looked a bit too open when Roger Flor came free, but Cristoforo Taranto reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Roger Flor in the 75th minute of play forced UNITED's goalkeeper Cristoforo Taranto to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After a rather tough play, UNITED's Abarrotz Varela got a free kick in the 78th minute. Cristoforo Taranto took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from C.J. La Marca, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Ruy Carballeira's late challenge caught a UNITED's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Ruy Carballeira helped the player get up and apologised. After 86 played minutes U21 Spain got a freekick which was hit by Ruy Carballeira. 89 minutes into the match, UNITED's goal looked a bit too open when C.J. La Marca came free, but Cristoforo Taranto reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. U21 Spain's Bernardo Vazquez proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 92nd minute of the match, managed to save U21 Spain from getting a goal against them. After 94 played minutes U21 Spain got a freekick which was hit by Lucero Mezquita. After 96 minutes, Constancio Llinares mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the U21 Spain and the UNITED players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 96th match minute, U21 Spain was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Constancio Llinares to maneuver through the defense. Cristoforo Taranto showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Roger Flor, who was totally free with the ball in the 98th minute.