Real Garcilaso loses 1-0 to Academia Cantolao and is out of the Copa Bicentenario

Thursday, the 5th of September 2019, 15:00 local time (20:00 UTC), Miguel Grau Stadium, Callao, Peru, quarter-finals of Copa Bicentenario.

Real Garcilaso celebrated 10 years of existence this year but it looks like this is one of their worst years since they promoted to the Peruvian First Division in 2011. They were out of Copa Libertadores in the first round, they lost all chances in the regular league, classifying sixth in the Apertura and are now second-to-last in the Clausura. Their only chance to get anything out of this season was the Copa Bicentenario, where they won all matches so far, even one against Academia Cantolao in the group stage. And this chance is gone, too.

Academia Cantolao had the opportunity to play at home this match, as they were classified lower than Real Garcilaso in the rankings established by the Peruvian Football Federation. They attacked more and had some goal opportunities, but the match was pretty much going towards a final 0-0 and penalties to decide which team would qualify for the semifinals.

It was in the fourth minute of added time when centre-back Minzun Quina, one of the best players for Real Garcilaso until then, decided to pass back to his own goalkeeper. However, the ball was intercepted by Sandro Rengifo, who passed it to Sebastian La Torre enabling him to score the decisive goal: 1-0 (90'+4').

Real Garcilaso tried a final attack, but all they got was a red card for Miguez, for protests (90'+5').

Academia Cantolao: Nicosia - Cabello, Mogollon, Salas, Jasaui - Atoche (C. Sanchez 75'), Castillo - Celi (Montano 85'), Lasso, S. Rengifo - La Torre. Head coach: Jorge Araujo.

Real Garcilaso: Ferreyra - Arsimendi, Canova, Quina, Cossio - Souza (Ismodes 62'), Miguez, Ramua, Nunez - H. Rengifo (Archimbaud 46'), Carando. Head coach: Ariel Paz.

Referee: Jose Mendoza.

Yellow cards: Celi 16', Atoche 43', S. Rengifo 49' - Arismendi 7', Miguez 33', Ramua 58'.

Red card: Miguez 90'+5'.

In the semifinals, Academia Cantolao will play against Sport Huancayo, while the other semifinal would surprisingly feature two teams of the Second Division (Liga 2), Grau and Coopsol.

For Real Garcilaso, this is the third consecutive defeat since head coach Juan Reynoso left and the team is managed by interim coach Ariel Paz. It is also the second time (in just three days) that Real Garcilaso is defeated with a goal in the added time. Clearly, a new head coach is needed, and quickly.