Bilbao's error decided the match

Universitario de Deportes - Cusco FC 1-0 (1-0)

Valera 32' penalty

Tuesday, 12 March 2024, 8:30 pm local time (Wednesday, 13 March 2024, 1:30 am UTC), Monumental Stadium, Lima, Peru, the 8th round of Apertura, Peruvian First Division (Liga 1).

Universitario de Deportes starting line-up. Photo source: LFP Facebook page

Universitario de Deportes faced Cusco FC on Tuesday evening, but nonetheless the big Monumental Stadium was full with their supporters. Universitario were chasing the (former) leaders Sporting Cristal and needed a win, which they eventually got, but not that easily. In fact, it could have been even harder if Cusco FC did not remain in ten since mid-first half.

Ivan Colman (in white, Cusco FC) with the ball, chased by Jairo Concha (U). Photo source: LFP Facebook page

The first 20 minutes or so were quite balanced, with only a few actions by either team. The balance was disrupted at mid-half (23'). Ivan Colman took a free kick for Cusco FC, hit the wall, then the home side players cleared. Álex Valera was the only U player who chased the ball, and Jonathan Bilbao made a terrible error, heading the ball towards his goalkeeper. Valera was already aware of the move and therefore reached the ball before Vidal, and sent it towards the target, while he made full contact with the keeper. Oswaldo Valenzuela succeeded to reach the ball and to clear almost from the goal line, but the referee awarded a penalty for Universitario and a red card for goalkeeper Andy Vidal.

Jonathan Bilbao (left, Cusco FC) and Alex Valera (right), the two main figures of the decisive action in this game. Photo source: Club Universitario de Deportes Facebook page

Almost ten minutes were needed for the action to be revised by VAR, for the sub goalkeeper Solís to replace Vásquez and eventually for Valera to convert the penalty: 1-0 (32').

Alex Valera converted the penalty, scoring the only goal of the match. Photo source: LFP Facebook page

While Cusco FC remained in ten, they did not abandoned the offensive actions entirely. On a counterattack, Nicolás Silva crossed from the right, and Juan Manuel Tévez headed wide from the centre of the box, while he was (possibly) pushed by Aldo Corzo (38'). The visitors asked for a penalty, and many neutral commentators stated that this could have been a penalty. The VAR however did not intervene, or perhaps the referee was very sure that there was nothing, and the game continued.

Juan Manuel Tevez (Cusco FC, in white) and Williams Riveros (U) are fighting for the control of the ball. Photo source: Diario El Comercio Facebook page

In the second half, Universitario had overall control of the game, and missed plenty of opportunities, too many to worth mentioning here. Cusco FC defended well and succeeded to avoid a thrashing, and even maintained some chances to equalize right to the final whistle. However, their counterattacking actions led to nothing.

In stoppage time, Lucas Colitto (Cusco FC) received a second yellow card for sending the ball to the skies in a moment when the game was stopped, probably due to the frustration. He was therefore sent off and Cusco FC ended the match in just nine men.

Both teams should make a thorough analysis of this game. Universitario won by the narrowest margin, in a match in which they were one man up for three quarters of the time, and were unable to score a single goal except for the penalty. Cusco FC complained for the referee decisions, but they also have to analyse their own faults as well, and especially the big error made by Bilbao, who led to the only goal of the match and to Vidal's red card.

The next game for both teams will be only two weeks from now, due to matches of the Peruvian national team. Cusco FC will face Unión Comercio at home, while Universitario will play away at Universidad César Vallejo.

U: Britos - Corzo, Riveros, Di Benedetto -  Ureña - Polo, Concha (Calcaterra 61'), Pérez Guedes (C. Gonzales 78'), Portocarrero (Cabanillas 46') - Flores (Rivera 68'), Valera (Dorregaray 68'). Manager: Fabián Bustos.

Cusco FC: Vidal - Ramírez, Bilbao, Pérez, Zevallos (Schmidt 71') - Valenzuela, Vásquez (31 Solís) - Silva (Ramos 85'), Colman, Colitto - Tévez (Fernández 71'). Manager: Miguel Rondelli.

Referee: Diego Haro.

Yellow cards: Riveros 21' - Colman 8', Ramírez 63', Valenzuela 71', Pérez 83', Colitto 88', 90'+5'.

Red cards: Vidal 23', Colitto 90'+5'.

Full results, table and fixtures:

 

Round 8 (12-16 March 2024)

 

Universitario de Deportes – Cusco FC 1-0

Cienciano – Alianza Lima 2-1

Sporting Cristal – FBC Melgar 1-2

Alianza Atlético – Universidad César Vallejo 1-1

Comerciantes Unidos – Sport Huancayo 3-2

Carlos A. Mannucci – Sport Boys 1-0

Unión Comercio – Deportivo Garcilaso 0-4

Los Chankas – Atlético Grau 0-1

ADT Tarma – UTC Cajamarca 2-1

 

Apertura table

 

1	Universitario de Deportes	8	6	2	0	13-2	20	Qualified for the play-offs
2	Sporting Cristal	8	6	1	1	23-9	19
3	Cienciano	8	4	4	0	14-10	16
4	Sport Huancayo	8	4	2	2	14-8	14
5	Comerciantes Unidos	8	4	2	2	15-15	14
6	FBC Melgar	8	4	1	3	12-11	13
7	Alianza Lima	8	4	0	4	14-10	12
8	ADT Tarma	8	3	2	3	14-15	11
9	Cusco FC	8	3	2	3	9-11	11
10	Atlético Grau	8	2	4	2	8-8	10
11	Sport Boys	8	3	0	5	10-10	9
12	Los Chankas	8	3	0	5	11-13	9
13	UTC Cajamarca	8	2	2	4	9-10	8
14	Alianza Atlético	8	2	2	4	7-11	8
15	Carlos A. Mannucci	8	2	2	4	8-20	8
16	Deportivo Garcilaso	8	2	1	5	8-11	7
17	Universidad César Vallejo	8	1	3	4	8-16	6
18	Unión Comercio	8	1	2	5	9-16	5

 

Rules for classification (except for first place): 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) goals scored; 4) drawing of lots.

A play-off is needed to decide the winner if two or more teams are tied on points on top of the table at the end of the tournament.

 

Round 9 (28-31 March 2024)

 

Deportivo Garcilaso – Comerciantes Unidos

Alianza Lima – Los Chankas

Cusco FC – Unión Comercio

Atlético Grau – Carlos A. Mannucci

FBC Melgar – Cienciano

Universidad César Vallejo – Universitario de Deportes

Sport Huancayo – ADT Tarma

Sport Boys – Alianza Atlético

UTC Cajamarca – Sporting Cristal