Peruvian side Real Garcilaso took on Venezuela's Deportivo La Guaira in the second leg of the Copa Libertadores first stage on Tuesday evening, 29 January 2019. In front of a large crowd at Inca Garcilaso de la Vega Stadium in Cusco, the home side clearly dominated the game and had a good chance to win conclusively and to outscore the 1-0 defeat in the first leg in Caracas.
Everything seemed to go fine for Real Garcilaso. Reimond Manco scored early, in the 15th minute, with an incredible shot from almost half the field, surprising goalkeeper Santilli: 1-0.
In the 38th minute, Argentinian striker Danilo Carando was sent out for a supposed elbow hit to an opponent player.
Real Garcilaso had to play in 10 since then, but continued to attack and pressure was amounting for a second goal of the home side in the second half. Eventually, after a series of chances, Hernán Rengifo scored from short range after a cross from the left side: 2-0 in the 68th minute.
At this score, Real Garcilaso was qualified to the second stage while Deportivo La Guaira needed a goal to qualify, as the away goal rule applies. A second yellow card for Venezuelan midfield Vicente Suanno in the 70th minute seemed to favour the home side, since both teams played in 10 for the remaining 20 minutes.
Real Garcilaso, which dominated the game even if they had one player less, could have scored a third goal to finish off the opponents. However, it was the away side, which did not have too many opportunities during the match, to score the qualifying goal in stoppage time, after a tremendous error of Gustavo Dulanto, who slipped and gave away the ball to José Manuel Balza, who took his chance and finished in great style: 2-1 in the 94th minute, really before the final whistle.
Real Garcilaso: Farro - Arismendi, Robles, Quina, Cossío - Míguez - Lecaros (46 Rengifo), Ramúa (88 Dulanto), Manco (81 Archimbaud), C. Souza - Carando. Manager: Héctor Tapia.
Deportivo La Guaira: Santilli - Velásquez, Luna, Peraza, Cumana - Azócar, A. Flores (53 K. Silva), Suanno, Lugo (72 La Mantia) - Cabezas (82 Notaroberto), Balza. Manager: Daniel Farías.
Referee: Mauro Vigliano (Argentina).
Red cards: Carando (38') - Suanno (70').
In their first ever participation to Copa Libertadores, Deportivo La Guaira qualified for the second stage, where they will meet Atlético Nacional of Colombia, former competition winners.
There was huge disappointment for Real Garcilaso fans and staff, as everyone expected an easy win. Now all the focus will be biased towards the Peruvian First Division, which will start in February. Chilean manager Héctor Tapia has the difficult task to build up the team, which needs to regain confidence quickly. The first official game will be on the 17th of February away to Molinos El Pirata FC, a team just promoted from Copa Perú, in the first round of Apertura.
