It was Revolut's rest week but ironically this clash between SaltPay and Mastercard will have felt like their biggest game of the season so far! Anything but a SaltPay victory would have left Revolut as heavy odds-on favourites to pick up the inaugural Fintech Football Championship trophy. However, a win for SaltPay would narrow the gap at the top to 3 points and set up a huge clash with Revolut on matchday 7.
In a very hotly contested battle between 2nd and 3rd place, which had fans gripped to the edge of their seats, SaltPay continued their impressive run of form with an 8-6 victory. Having both picked up three points in matchday five, both sides came into this game full of confidence, and that was clear to see on the pitch.
Mastercard started the better side, zipping the ball about and stretching the SaltPay backline. Sergio Dhillon in particular was proving too hot to handle, and he wriggled through two defenders to latch on to a superb pass to open the scoring, sending the Mastercard fans into pandemonium.
However, their joy was short lived. A brilliant bit of play from Killian McManus created some space for his teammate Thomas Stern, who snuck in behind the Mastercard defence to fire a low driven shot into the corner of the goal.
It was a rather quiet first half for the Fintech Football Championship’s second top goal scorer, but Dhillon swiftly made his mark on proceedings in the opening phases of the second half, powering home a volley on the angle to put Mastercard in the lead again. A real end to end game, and it wasn’t long before Dhillon’s strike was cancelled out by SaltPay, who weren’t going down without a fight, in this must win game.
Some excellent defending, heroic goalkeeping and dodgy finishing ensured that this was still a contest, but both sides knew that a point was not enough. If either side were to mount a title challenge, then three points would be required.
Both sides began to push for the winner with time running out, and it was SaltPay that dug in deep and stepped it up a notch. Dominic Scheitz completed his hat trick in emphatic fashion in the final minute of the game. Not quite Sergio Aguero against QPR late, but late enough that Mastercard were unable to mount a comeback. There was time for one more goal from McManus, who delivered a real sucker punch to Mastercard with the final kick of the game.
A very competitive and high quality game but it was all smiles and handshakes at the end of the game, between two teams who left everything out on the pitch. All eyes on next Thursday, as SaltPay face Revolut in an eye watering top of the table clash, which you can guarantee will be full of action.
Final Score: Mastercard 6 vs 8 SaltPay
Man of the Match: Killian McManus (SaltPay)