Friday, 17 September 2021, 3:30 pm local time (8:30 pm UTC), Alberto Gallardo Stadium (neutral ground), Lima, Peru, the 11th round of Stage 2, Peruvian First Division (Liga 1).
Alianza Lima are leaders of Stage 2 and the only team which still has chances to steal the national title this year from Sporting Cristal, if they remain in that position until the end of the season. Sporting Cristal are not far behind in the table of Stage 2 and won Stage 1; in case they win both stages, then they would become national champions without the need for any play-off.
In short, to keep the dream of national title alive, Alianza Lima needs to win (almost) every game in hand and Cusco FC were a weak opponent, despite their own needs to get points to get out of the relegation area where they are stuck since the beginning of the season.
The match started well surprisingly for Cusco FC, who had a big opportunity to score, after a great individual action by Sandro Rengifo, who passed to Miguel Carranza inside the box, but Carranza's shot was saved by Campos (11'). Although Cusco had several other interesting attacks, mainly led by Sandro Rengifo, they slowly faded away and Alianza Lima gradually took charge of the game. The biggest blow for Cusco FC was the injury of Matías Abisab, their best creative player, who had to be replaced by Miguel Aucca (34'). This also came very handy for Alianza Lima, who had several good chances to break the deadlock, but Enríquez made three great saves, defending Oslimg Mora's shots right before the break.
The goal was in the air and only a few minutes into the second half, it came from a penalty. Anier Figueroa threw himself to the ground in an effort to stop a cross, and touched the ball with his hand. The penalty was well executed by Hernán Barcos: 0-1 (49'). This could have triggered a reaction from Cusco FC, but they seemed unable to react properly, although a header by Mauricio Montes went close enough to alarm Alianza defense. Cusco FC tried mostly by means of Sandro Rengifo, but he was not able to do it all himself, while Alianza Lima had several good chances, given the ever larger spaces they found for attack. Jefferson Farfán came in (64') to give Alianza an even stronger attacking force.
Cusco's manager Marcelo Grioni made his final changes (83') to force an equalizer, sending in a second striker, Nicolás Royón, and at the same time Arley Rodríguez came in for Alianza Lima. It was only a minute after when Arley Rodríguez crossed from the right and Hernán Barcos headed in at the far post: 0-2 (84').
Hernán Barcos scored the second goal to give Alianza Lima a deserved 2-0 win. Source: airesdelaciudad.com.ar
Cusco FC: Enríquez - Velásquez (Royón 83'), Figueroa, Rizzo, Corrales - Gonzales, Abisab (Aucca 34', Orbe 83'), Aubert - Carranza (Morales 72'), Montes, Rengifo. Manager: Marcelo Grioni.
Alianza Lima: Campos - Montoya (Lacerda 83'), Míguez, Vílchez - Mora, Concha (Valenzuela 72'), Ballón, Lagos - Benítez (A. Rodríguez 83'), Barcos, M. A. Rodríguez (Farfán 64'). Manager: Carlos Bustos.
Referee: Bruno Pérez.
Yellow cards: Figueroa 52', Aucca 75'.
Both teams will play their next match on Wednesday, 22 September. Cusco FC will face Sport Boys, while Alianza Lima will play against FBC Melgar.
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