Stunning win for Cusco FC in their first official match of the 2024 season

FBC Melgar - Cusco FC 2-3 (1-2)

Cuesta 19', Lavandeira 66' (penalty) - Colitto 7', Tévez 41', 71'.

Friday, 26 January 2024, 7 pm local time (12 midnight UTC), Monumental de la UNSA Stadium, Arequipa, Peru, 1st round of Apertura, Peruvian First Division (Liga 1).

Great start for Cusco FC in the 2024 season of the Peruvian First Division. Though clearly considered as the underdog away at Melgar, the visitors played very efficiently in attack and had better defense than their opponents, with goalkeeper Solís deserving the "man of the match" status for his incredible saves.

The match started quite well for Cusco FC. In one of their first counter actions, Valenzuela robbed the ball from an opponent, passed to Iván Colman, who found a perfect pass to the right side to Lucas Colitto, all alone with the goalkeeper: 0-1 (7').

Lucas Colitto (left) and Juan Manuel Tévez, the two goalscorers for Cusco FC. Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page

FBC Melgar replied immediately, and they attacked furiously, trying to equalize as quickly as possible. After several attempts, blocked by the defenders or the goalkeeper Solís, they eventually succeeded to score. A ball in the box was mismanaged by Cusco defenders, Alexis Arias crossed from the right and Bernardo Cuesta's shot from close range went in to the near post: 1-1 (19').

Bernardo Cuesta, unmarked, equalized with a powerful shot. Photo source: Melgar FBC Facebook page

After the equalizer, FBC Melgar eased the pressure a little bit, but continued their efforts to take the lead. Goalkeeper Solís had several crucial saves throughout the entire the game, but also during this period in the first half, when Cusco FC seemed completely dominated by the hosts. It looked like the opening goal was just a mistake, with the game going apparently in Melgar way. But just when nobody expected, Cusco FC stroke again. This time Miguel Aucca dispossessed an opponent in midfield, and launched the counterattack, very much in the same way as in the case of the first goal, passing to Iván Colman, who had some space on the left. When he got into the box, Colman stopped and passed to Juan Manuel Tévez, who was coming unmarked towards the centre of the box, and his shot went in: 1-2 (41').

Cusco FC players celebrating: Colitto (left), Tamariz (centre), Colman (with the back) and Tévez (right, raising his hand). Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page

The second half was very much similar to the first half, only this time FBC Melgar were chasing the equalizer once again. Newly-subbed in Bordacahar, along with Lavandeira and Cuesta, did their best in the attack, but Solís looked unbeatable. Finally, the equalizer came from a penalty. A cross from the right was meant for a header, but Lucas Colitto touched the ball with his hand, and a penalty (and a yellow card) was awarded. Pablo Lavandeira took the responsibility and scored: 2-2 (66').

Pablo Lavandeira equalized once again from the penalty spot. Photo source: Melgar FBC Facebook page

It looked like FBC Melgar had enough time to grab a good result in this match. But while Melgar continued their offensive actions, Cusco FC took the lead once again. Oswaldo Valenzuela gained a ball in his own half, and assisted Juan Manuel Tévez with a long ball through the defense. Goalkeeper Cáceda failed to come out quickly enough, allowing Tévez to get first to the ball, to pass him and to score in the empty net: 2-3 (71'). The assistant referee mistakenly raised the flag for offside, but luckily VAR is implemented in the Peruvian First League, and the replays showed clearly that Tévez was in his own half when Valenzuela passed.

Juan Manuel Tévez scored a brace at his debut in the Peruvian First Division. Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page

In the remaining minutes, Melgar attacks intensified, but Cusco FC defended wisely and stubbornly. Melgar players started to look more and more desperate as the time went by, without making any progress. Whenever they had a shot on target, Solís saved. This was a great match made by the new Cusco FC goalkeeper.

Carlos Solís, Cusco FC goalkeeper, the man of the match. Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page

It looks like Cusco FC finally found the right manager: Miguel Rondelli. Appointed at the end of November, he had about two months to build up a team almost from the scratch, as most of the 2023 season players went away from Cusco. He had to rely on the few remaining players, and to bring in lots of other players, many of them completely new to the Peruvian First League. He was certainly right regarding the four Argentinian attacking players: Juan Manuel Tévez as the central forward, Lucas Colitto as the right winger, Nicolás Silva as the left winger and Iván Colman as the playmaker behind them. Peruvian players Miguel Aucca and Oswaldo Valenzuela also did their job as defensive / central midfielders. The defense did not look as great as the attack, but goalkeeper Solís was great.

Overall, Cusco FC impressed due to its efficiency: they scored 3 goals out of 4 shots on target, and 1.20 expected goals (according to Flashscore statistics). Compared to them, FBC Melgar had 36 shots, 12 of them on target, 4.06 expected goals, but only scored twice. One should add the 75%-25% ball possession in favour of Melgar, and the number of corners (12-2 for Melgar) to have a complete image of the territorial domination of the host team, which nevertheless lost the game. The goalkeepers and the defensive players also made a difference. Cáceda, Melgar goalkeeper, may be considered guilty for at least one goal (the last one), and he could have done better at the other goals as well. Solís, on the other hand, had at least 10 saves, considering only the shots on the target, and not the other interventions, for instance crosses in the box, which he collected many times, providing security and trust to his own team.

FBC Melgar: Cáceda - E. Ramos, Lazo, Galeano, Diarte - T. Martínez (G. García 90'+2'), Arias (Bordacahar 46'), Tandazo, Cabrera (Blando 75') - Cuesta, Lavandeira (Sandoval 90'+1'). Manager: Pablo de Muner.

Cusco FC: Solís - Zevallos, Ramírez, Pérez, Tamariz (Bilbao 73') - Valenzuela, Aucca (R. Fernández 78') - Colitto, Colman, Silva (Morales 61') - Tévez (L. Ramos 78'). Manager: Miguel Rondelli.

Referee: Jesús Cartagena.

Yellow cards: Lazo 28', Cuesta 45'+1' - Solís 27', Colitto 64'.

The match was broadcasted by L1 Max. Extended highlights are available on YouTube (there are shorter highlights as well).

In the other match played on Friday, 26 January, UTC de Cajamarca won 1-0 at home over Deportivo Garcilaso. In the next round, also on Friday, 2 February, Cusco FC will face UTC de Cajamarca at home, on Inca Garcilaso de la Vega Stadium, while FBC Melgar will play away at Universidad César Vallejo, in Trujillo.