Dopico 2 - 1 Messi (383229589)

9657 spectators arrived at La Colina del Loro, where weather conditions were pretty good for football. Mieczysław Rosołowski was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Jamal Ramzi and Davide Trischitta. A 3-4-3 alignment was the formation of choice for Dopico. The following players had been chosen: Maziarczyk - Ası, Ranzmayer, Böhmer - Darnius, Petrov, Tomaś, Debien - López Mata, Bejan, Ibn-Adnan.

Messi decided to use a 3-4-3 set up. Lineup: Everts - Maleo, Boluda, D'Aversa - Andrés, Moi, Lemus, Chiuzan - Moreno, Arines, Vannuccini.

Dopico displayed their ability to play creatively. Counter-attacking seemed to be the preferred strategy of Messi. Some quick footwork on the left side of the field 23 minutes into the match left Messi's D. Chiuzan completely free to score. 0 - 1 for the visitors. S. Moi was, after 29 minutes, almost able to extend the visitors' lead with a well placed diving header after the ball had looped into the centre, but the home side's keeper K. Maziarczyk made the save. J. Moreno of Messi received a yellow card after 30 minutes for unsportsmanlike behaviour. Halftime score was 0 - 1. Dopico had most of the ball, with 54 percent of possession.

Some fine passing in the middle of the pitch, carving open the away defence, should have led to a goal for Dopico, but N. Böhmer's shot went over the bar. 53 minutes into the game, I. Petrov had to leave the pitch due to a knee injury. In came B. Fridsjö. After the ball was lifted in from the left, J. Moreno was on his own in the home side's penalty area and should have scored after 56 minutes, but missed, probably due to lack of concentration. Due to some great work on the right wing Dopico's R. Tomaś was able to even the score after 61 minutes to make the score 1 - 1. R. Tomaś's lack of experience almost gave Messi a goal after 64 minutes, but the shot went right into the keeper's arms. F. Debien would have preferred to play on, but his coach decided otherwise. J. Flores entered the game for Dopico as the match clock showed 65 minutes. After 65 minutes, A. Bejan came in from the right, feinted, then sped past the off-balance defender to make the score 2 - 1, giving Dopico the lead. After 68 minutes, a couple of quick and successful challenges followed by a shot from just outside the penalty area by A. Ibn-Adnan might have resulted in another goal for Dopico. However, L. Everts made a spectacular save. A. Bejan left the field with a smile on his face as he was substituted 75 minutes into the game, as his team was in the lead. W. Kończewski was the replacement. A. Ibn-Adnan could have put Dopico up one more, but he fired into the side netting after breaking free on the left after 77 minutes. Dopico enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 51 percent of possession.

Dopico's best player was A. Ibn-Adnan. However, K. Maziarczyk made a disastrous appearance. Messi's top performer was clearly T. Arines. L. Everts turned in a dismal performance, however. The match ends 2 - 1.