Cusco FC won over Deportivo Binacional and climbed into third place

Cusco FC - Deportivo Binacional 2-1 (1-1)

Fajardo 13', Ayarza 77' - Cáceres 27'.

Friday, 7 April 2023, 3:30 pm local time (8:30 pm UTC), Inca Garcilaso de la Vega Stadium, Cusco, Peru, 11th round of Apertura, Peruvian First Division (Liga 1).

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

Deportivo Binacional starting line-up. Source: Deportivo Binacional Facebook page

Cusco FC continue their winning streak at home, as the match against Binacional concluded with their fourth consecutive win on their home ground. One can state that they won all the matches that they actually played at home, since their only "loss" was in the first match of the season, when the visitors were awarded the win because Cusco FC refused to play. More than that, they are undefeated in the last four games, and only lost one game in the last 8 matches, of which they won five. So, Cusco FC are in excellent form and they even climbed into the third position in the Apertura table, four points behind the leaders, Alianza Lima.

Deportivo Binacional are in a rather opposite situation. They failed to win a single match so far this season, they are bottom of the table and fared so poorly that they only have 2 points after 8 matches. 

Nevertheless, although Cusco FC were favourites from the start, the match was much more balanced than expected. Not necessarily in the beginning, when the home side took the match very seriously and scored early. Felucho Rodríguez executed a corner from the left side, Alonso passed to José Fajardo, who found the back of the net from short range: 1-0 (13').

The Panamanian José Fajardo scored the first goal of the match. Source: Cusco FC Facebook page

The goal did not seem to stop Cusco FC, which continued their usual offensive play, and goalkeeper Enríquez had to save a couple of good shots by Felucho Rodríguez, the most dangerous Cusco forward in the first half.

Gradually, the visitors tried to balance the game, and they even managed to score the equalizer. Jack Durán's long-distance shot from the right side was slightly deflected by Jefferson Cáceres inside the box, enough to trick goalkeeper Ferreyra: 1-1 (27').

Jefferson Cáceres (right) congratulated by Jack Durán (left) and Edson Aubert (centre) for scoring the equalizer. Source: Deportivo Binacional Facebook page

The equalizer came as a surprise for Cusco FC, as they probably thought that the match had been already won. It was not easy for the hosts to resume the attacks. Their only important chance before the break came after a corner, when Nelinho Quina's header from an excellent position went slightly wide (43').

In the second half, both teams had their chances, and the match was balanced for a long while. It took a mistake made by Edson Aubert, a tough and useless foul on Federico Alonso, to unbalance the game into Cusco FC's favour.  Edson Aubert was sent off with a straight red (69') and Deportivo Binacional had to give up all their offensive strategies and to concentrate on defence. 

They resisted less than 10 minutes in 10 men. The other decisive moment of the game was the introduction of Alfredo "Chapú" Ramúa on the pitch in the 76th minute. His first touch of the ball was a perfect assist for Abdiel Ayarza, who headed the ball into the back of the net from inside the box: 2-1 (77').

 Alfredo Ramúa jumped into the arms of Abdiel Ayarza, the two who contributed to the decisive goal of the match. Source: Cusco FC Facebook page

In the final minutes, Deportivo Binacional had to risk everything and to attack, and they even had a couple of opportunities. However, Cusco FC had even bigger chances to score a third goal, but missed incredibly in very promising situations. The most beautiful action by Cusco FC involved three players on a fast break, Abdiel Ayarza on the left, crossed for José Fajardo, who assisted Felucho Rodríguez, whose shot was saved spectacularly by goalkeeper Enríquez.

Brandon Palacios (Deportivo Binacional), who had just came in as a sub, became injured after a collision, and the visitors actually played in just nine in stoppage time, but Cusco FC did not take advantage of it. Nevertheless, they got the three points, though it was more difficult than expected.

Cusco FC: Ferreyra - Estrada (Bilbao 88'), Alonso, N. Quina, Gordillo (Benincasa 80') - Aucca (Uribe 46') - Da Luz (R. Díaz 76'), Vidales (Ramúa 76'), Ayarza, F. Rodríguez - Fajardo. Manager: Pablo Peirano.

Binacional: Enríquez - Villamarín (Núñez 90'), Mena, Murillo, M. Quina (Palacios 81'), Rosell (Vizcarra 90') - Aubert, Romero, Durán (Oncoy 71'), Polar - Cáceres (B. Fernández 81'). Manager: Darío Franco.

Referee: Jesús Cartagena.

Yellow cards: Aucca 44', Estrada 71', Ferreyra 73' - Mena 11', Murillo 61', Palacios 90'.

Red card: Aubert 69'.

The Panamanian Abdiel Ayarza (Cusco FC) was again one of the best players of the match. Source: Cusco FC Facebook page

In the next round, Cusco FC will face ADT Tarma away, while Deportivo Binacional will play against Sport Huancayo at home.