Cusco FC turned the result in their favour

 Academia Cantolao - Cusco FC 2-3 (1-0)

Tajima 14', Leyes 56' - Fajardo 55', Alonso 70', Cantoro 89'.

Monday, 27 February 2023, 3:30 pm local time (8:30 pm UTC), Iván Elías Moreno Stadium, Lima, Peru, 6th round of Apertura, Peruvian First Division (Liga 1).

Cusco FC starting line-up. Source: Cusco FC Facebook page

Cusco FC won a dramatic match on Monday, away at Academia Cantolao, a team which lost all four games they played so far in the Peruvian First Division. Cusco FC were the better team and deserved the win, but they had to fight right up to the end for the three points.

The home side started better. A cross by Vergara from the right side was too difficult for goalkeeper Ferreyra, who mistakenly sent the ball into the legs of Leyes, from where it deflected to Tajima, who simply tapped the ball in: 1-0 (14').

Cusco FC responded well and took over the control of the midfield. They had a number of opportunities, such as a shot by Da Luz, blocked by Limousin (24'). Nevertheless, the home side could have increased their lead, but treated superficially two good chances (34' and 36'). The biggest opportunity for Cusco FC in the first half belonged to Fajardo, whose shot from close range went high, after an excellent cross from Estrada (45'+4').

Mauro Da Luz (in white, with the ball) was one of the best Cusco FC players in this game. Source: Cusco FC Facebook page

The second half started the same way, but goals emerged and the game turned very spectacular. First, Cusco FC equalized: Mauro Da Luz crossed, Ayarza headed lightly towards the far post, to Felucho Rodríguez, whose pass found José Fajardo all alone just a meter away from the goal line and with an empty net in front of him: 1-1 (55'). The TV replays suggested that an offside position might have been possible, but one may not be sure without VAR (which has not been yet implemented in Peru).

Felipe Rodríguez (with the ball) assisted all three goals for Cusco FC and was undeniably the man of the match. Source: Cusco FC Facebook page

The visitors did not even time to celebrate, because Academia Cantolao took the lead again. Tajima opened up for Guarderas on the left side, and his cross found Leyes all alone in the centre of the box: 2-1 (56'). The same offside suspicion may be applied for this goal, as in the case of the Cusco equalizer.

It looked like Academia Cantolao could score whenever they attacked. Nevertheless, they did not attack too often after they took the lead again: it was all Cusco from that very moment. The visitors launched a total assault, which eventually paid off.

They equalized again after a set piece, a free kick executed by Felucho Rodríguez into the box, and Federico Alonso was there to direct the ball with his right foot, into the crossbar and then beyond the goal line (but very close to it): 2-2 (70'). This time, the goal line technology would have been needed to tell 100% if the ball was completely beyond the goal line (as it certainly seemed so from the TV replays).

This time, Cusco FC did not stop their offensive and were quite determined to take all three points. Academia Cantolao also replied, so the game became very interesting in its final minutes. The winning goal came in the second to last minute of regular time. Felucho Rodríguez led an attack on the left side, waited until more Cusco forwards arrived in the box, and crossed perfectly to the far post for Tiago Cantoro to head the ball in from close range: 2-3 (89').

Tiago Cantoro celebrates his first goal for Cusco FC and also the decisive winning goal of this game together with his teammates. Source: Cusco FC Facebook page

There were many minutes of stoppage time, and Academia Cantolao tried to come back in the game, and even had a chance to equalize, but missed (90'+4'). However, it would have been unfair, given the convincing manner in which Cusco FC managed the game.

Cantolao: Limousin - Carmona, A. Sánchez, Moreira, Tamariz - Vargas (Acosta 77'), D. Ramírez (C. Sánchez 57'), Guarderas (L. Ramírez 78') - Vergara (Regalado 45'), Leyes, Tajima (Medrano 78'). Manager: Matías Rosa.

Cusco FC: Ferreyra - Estrada (Bilbao 84'), Alonso, Quina, Gordillo (Yovera 46') - Uribe (Vidales 58'), Barreto (Aucca 84') - Da Luz, Ayarza (Cantoro 69'), F. Rodríguez - Fajardo. Manager: Pablo Peirano.

Referee: Jesús Cartagena.

Yellow cards: Guarderas 90'+1' (on the bench) - Ayarza 6', Estrada 75', Barreto 79'.

Red card: Guarderas 90'+1' (on the bench). The referee also showed the red card to the doctor of Academia Cantolao in the final minutes of the first half, and to several staff members who were on the bench of Academia Cantolao, who protested wildly after the last goal of the match. Guarderas was the only player in this situation (but also on the bench), and he was initially shown a yellow, and then a red card.

In the next round, Academia Cantolao will play away at Sport Huancayo, on Saturday, while Cusco FC will face Unión Comercio at home, on Monday.