
Photo by Brandon Connelly / Orlando Soccer Journal
The second and final day of Florida Cup matches finished out with two of the replacement teams taking on the two remaining original teams, as Everton took on LigaMX side Pumas, while the Colombian derby between Millonarios F.C and Atletico Nacional on Wednesday at Camping World Stadium.
In the first match. Everton defeated Pumas 1-0, while a frenetic match between Millonarios and Atletico Nacional finished 3-2 in favor of Nacional.
Everton 1, Pumas 0
Everton’s lone goal by Moise Kean in the 18th minute was enough for the Toffees to secure their second win of the Florida Cup over the Mexican side Pumas UNAM.
A lot of rotation came for both sides as a number of starters for Everton played the second half, but were unable to increase their lead.
Obviously the precision is for improving the fitness, the understanding between players,” Head Coach Rafa Benitez said after the match, “Still we’re too far away because it’s a special year with players coming back after Copa America and the Euros. So, obviously we are improving the fitness, but are still a little bit far away. But hopefully in the next 14 days it will be much better and we can compete at the level that we want to compete in the Premier League.”
Scoring Summary
18′ – Moise Kean (EVE)
Atletico Nacional 3, Millonarios 2
The first 45 minutes of the Millonarios-Atletico Nacional saw five goals scored, with none in the second half as Nacional took home the 3-2 win.
The scoring started early as Jarlan Barrera opened the scoring for Nacional just six minutes in, giving his side the lead they would not relinquish. David Silva of Millonarios would then begin to trade goals with Jonatan Alvez of Nacional, with both scoring twice one after the other. This would eventually give Atletico a 3-2 lead at halftime, a lead that they would not relinquish.
Much of the second half was a back and forth affair with counter attacks broken up by last second defending, with a few good saves mixed in by both keepers. A late charge by Millos almost saw an equalizer, but Atletico keeper Juan Uribe came up huge to secure the win for his side.
Millonarios had the better chances in the first 45 minutes, breaking through on a header from Andrés Llinás in the 19th minute from a corner after a promising run.
The Colombian side had more opportunities from Felipe Román and Jorge Rengifo, but thanks to heads up goalkeeping from Everton’s Asmir Begovic, the Merseyside club were able to stay within a goal. The best chance at leveling the score came from James Rodriguez in the 41st minute who had an amazing shot from the top of the box, but his attempt hit the woodwork and Everton would go down 1-0 heading into halftime.
More of the same through most of the second half. Both teams making substitutions and Nathan Broadhead had an early attempt in the second half for Everton but his shot glanced just wide of the far post. Finally, in the 64th minute, after Broadhead was taken down in the box by Millonarios’ keeper, Everton were awarded a Penalty and Demari Gray converted it to level things at 1-1.
Both sides looked content to take it to penalties as Millonarios didn’t look to threaten and Everton could only generate minimal chances. At the final whistle, the game was still tied at one apiece.
Scoring Summary
6′ – Jarlan Barrera (ATL)
25′ – David Silva (MIL)
31′ – Jonatan Alvez (ATL)
33′ – David Silva (MIL)
44′ – Jonatan Alvez (ATL)
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