Alejandro Orfila is out, Javier Rabanal is the new manager of Cusco FC

Cusco FC changes the manager for the second time this year. At the end of March, Argentinian Miguel Rondelli left for FBC Melgar, after a disappointing start of the season, with a record of 3 wins, 1 draw and 4 defeats, which rendered Cusco FC in 10th place (out of 18) after 8 rounds. However, Rondelli was not sacked, and there was hope for a revival, given the experience with the same Rondelli in the previous two seasons (2024 and 2025), when he led the club to better results towards the end of the season, finishing second in 2025. A very good offer from FBC Melgar saw Rondelli leaving, so Cusco FC brought Uruguayan Alejandro Orfila in.

Orfila only stayed for a couple of months (April and May, basically) and yesterday, 9 June, Cusco FC officially announced that he will leave. Rumours about his departure existed immediately after the end of Apertura, on 31 May. It is not exactly known why the club management was unhappy with Orfila. His tenure was marked by good results in the league: 5 wins, 2 draws, and 2 defeats, and Cusco FC climbed from 10th place to 6th place at the end of Apertura. He started with a sensational 3-1 win away at FBC Melgar, a ”revenge” on former manager Rondelli, now manager of FBC Melgar. In the last round, Cusco FC won 2-1 away at ADT Tarma, which is an excellent result. Of course, it was mathematically impossible for Cusco FC to win the Apertura (even if they had won all the matches), and the second place they had last year is also difficult to get. The only bad result (mainly from the perspective of the score) was the humiliating 8-0 defeat away at Alianza Lima, the winners of Apertura, which is by far the worst defeat ever in the history of the club (the previous ”record” was a 4-0 defeat).

Most likely, Orfila was sacked because of the bad results in Copa Libertadores. After many years, Cusco FC qualified directly in the group stage of Copa Libertadores, but were distributed in a very tough group, involving title holders CR Flamengo (of Brazil), Estudiantes La Plata (of Argentina), and Independiente Medellín (of Columbia), all three clubs with strong rosters. Cusco FC only managed one point in Copa Libertadores (a draw at home against Estudiantes, a match they had in hand), and classified last in their group. There was some disappointment with this ”result”, although Cusco FC were clearly the weakest team in this group. A comparison with city rivals Cienciano also worked against Orfila, as Cienciano had better results than Cusco FC both in the league and in Copa Sudamericana, and even Deportivo Garcilaso, the other city rivals, are close enough in the league table. For Cusco FC, it is very important to maintain their leading position among the clubs in the city of Cusco, and this ”competition” is not to be lost.

In the end, Alejandro Orfila and his associates left, and on the same day, 9 June, the club announced the arrival of the Spanish manager Javier Rabanal, along with his coaching staff. This move was probably discussed previously, as Rabanal had been sacked by Peruvian title holders Universitario de Deportes on 21 April. It is interesting to note that Rabanal has rather little experience as a head coach, as he was mainly an assistant coach throughout his career, reaching notoriously in this position at PSV Eindhoven, in the Netherlands, when Ruud van Nistelrooy was manager. As full manager, Javier Rabanal's best result is the 2025 title in Ecuador with Independiente del Valle, a club whom he also managed in Copa Libertadores last year to excellent results. Despite these accomplishments, Independiente del Valle sacked him at the end of the 2025 season, and he soon arrived in Peru, to take over managerial tasks at title holders Universitario de Deportes. Results were not as good as expected, and he had to leave in April, as mentioned.

 Javier Rabanal, the new manager of Cusco FC. Photo source: ovacion.pe

It is difficult to say whether he will be the manager the club management and the fans expect him to be. His objective should be to win the Clausura or at least to classify in top 2 in the aggregate table, and therefore to get a place in the play-offs for the title. After the second place managed last year, one can only imagine that Cusco FC would like to move one step forward and win the title. This should be, at least in theory, the target for this year. It would be a very ambitious target, especially given the current circumstances, and the value of the players. Cusco FC roster this year is not very different from the one they had last year, when they finished second. However, Cusco FC as runners-up was quite an accomplishment. To win the title, one would need even better players, especially in some key positions. Therefore, it is not entirely up to the manager. It is also the task of the club management to provide the necessary players to achieve such ambitious goals. In my humble opinion, a classification among the top 4 in the aggregate table, and therefore another participation in the Copa Libertadores in the next year, would be a more feasible (and reachable) objective this season.

Javier Rabanal is accompanied by his coahcing staff, including Matías Farao (assistant manager), Ander Huete (methodological assistant), Franco Baravalle (physical trainer), Juan José Halty (goalkeepers' coach), and Mathias Almeida (video analyst). 

Miguel Rondelli left for FBC Melgar, Alejandro Orfila is the new manager of Cusco FC

Argentinian manager Miguel Rondelli left Cusco FC together with practically the entire technical staff and made a controversial move to FBC Melgar, the Southern Peruvian rivals of Cusco FC. FBC Melgar had to pay a certain amount to Cusco FC, because the Argentinian had a contract until the end of 2028. On the other hand, because of the Peruvian regulations on this matter, Rondelli cannot be officially the manager of FBC Melgar during Apertura, so he will have to wait until mid-year and the beginning of Clausura to be fully appointed, so until then somebody else will have to assume the "title" of manager, while Rondelli will act mainly from behind the scenes. FBC Melgar, currently 7th in the table, had just sacked manager Juan Reynoso after unconvincing results in the first 8 rounds of Apertura and were looking for a replacement, finally deciding on Miguel Rondelli, taking advantage of the league break caused by the matches of the national teams.

The move was made oddly right after Cusco FC managed to win their first match away, 2-1 at Deportivo Moquegua, and there was a feeling that the team was on the right path before the start of the 2026 Copa Libertadores. However, Rondelli preferred to leave, possibly as a result of an excellent offer from FBC Melgar, and also perhaps because his status within Cusco FC began to deteriorate a little after a less convincing start of the season. After clinching to second place in 2025, tying their best result ever in the league, Cusco FC are now in the middle of the table (10th out of 18), quite far from the top places. The team looked worse than last year, despite keeping most of the players, and this is worrying having in mind that the first match in the Libertadores will be against the title holders CR Flamengo. However, one must remark that Rondelli was manager of Cusco FC for more than 2 years, since January 2024, and had a huge contribution to the rise of Cusco FC in the past 2 years. His tenure is the second longest in the history of Cusco FC / Real Garcilaso, only behind Freddy "Petróleo" García, who stayed for almost 4 years between January 2011 and September 2014. Taking into consideration Cusco FC under this name only (since December 2019), Rondelli was the longest-acting manager of the team, and his results should be pointed out. It was obvious that, after such results, sooner or later he will leave for a better or more famous team. It is sad that he will not have the opportunity to manage Cusco FC in the Libertadores.

Another strange aspect is that the first match of Rondelli as manager of FBC Melgar will be against his former team, Cusco FC. The two teams will face each other on Saturday, 4 April, in Arequipa, in the 9th round of Apertura. What a match will that be!

In the meantime, Cusco FC had to move quickly to find a new manager for the team. Although not yet announced officially by the club, the Peruvian media has already announced that the new manager will be Uruguayan Alejandro Orfila, former manager of Argentinian teams like Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata, Barracas Central, and Belgrano.

 Alejandro Orfila, the new manager of Cusco FC. Photo source: depor.com

Alejandro Orfila will arrive in Cusco shortly, and will be accompanied by the rest of his staff, including Jonathan Botinelli and Guillermo Almada - assistant managers, Diego Arias - physical trainer, Juan Raña - goalkeepers' coach, and Vicente Barrios - video analyst. 

Cusco FC to face Flamengo, Estudiantes La Plata and Medellín in Group A of Copa Libertadores

The draw for the Copa Libertadores group stage was held yesterday evening, 19 March 2026. Cusco FC qualified for the first time to Copa Libertadores under this name, and they returned to the competition after 7 years - their last presence was in the first stage of 2019, when they played under the old name Real Garcilaso and were knocked out by Deportivo La Guaira of Venezuela. Their last presence in the group stage was in 2018, when they classified last in their group.

This year they will have a difficult mission in Group A, where they will face the current Brazilian champions and Copa Libertadores title holders CR Flamengo, along with Argentinian 2025 Clausura champions Estudiantes La Plata and Colombian powerhouse Independiente Medellín (a.k.a. DIM). The top two teams will qualify for the round of 16, while the third-placed team will qualify for the knock-out round play-offs in Copa Sudamericana.

Cusco FC have had an unexpectedly poor start of the season, and are currently classified 13th (out of 18) in the 2026 Peruvian Liga 1, after 2 wins, 1 draw, and 4 defeats, totalling 7 points in 7 league games, despite maintaining the majority of players who contributed to the second place in the 2025 season and the same managerial team, led by Argentinian Miguel Rondelli, currently in his third season as manager of Cusco FC (but his position is in real danger). Cusco FC lost all their away matches so far in the league, and also lost at home to their city rivals Cienciano, 2-1, in their last game, on 15 March. However, in their previous game, on 7 March, Cusco FC succeeded to win 1-0 over their other city rivals, Deportivo Garcilaso. Their next game will be Saturday, 21 March, away at newly-promoted Deportivo Moquegua.

The first match for Cusco FC in Copa Libertadores will be on 7, 8 or 9 April at home against CR Flamengo. One can anticipate that Inca Garcilaso de la Vega Stadium will be full.

Third consecutive win for UTC Cajamarca, poor start of the season for Cusco FC

UTC Cajamarca 1-0 (0-0) Cusco FC

Marlon de Jesús 78' (penalty)

Friday, 13 February 2026, 3 pm local time (8 pm UTC), Héroes de San Ramón Stadium, Cajamarca, Peru, 3rd round of Apertura, Peruvian First Division (Liga 1).

UTC Cajamarca starting line-up. Photo source: Ale Villena / David Villena (Facebook)

Cusco FC starting line-up. Photo source: Ale Villena / David Villena (Facebook)

UTC Cajamarca was a team which fought to avoid relegation in previous seasons, but it looks like a completely different team this season, fact which is easily provedby their three consecutive wins at the start of the 2026 season. On the other hand, Cusco FC was a team which, last season, fought for the title and came in second place, but this season, despite having the same manager and pretty much the same players, has had an unexpected poor start of the season, with one draw at home against title holders Universitario, and two rather similar defeats (1-0) away at Alianza Atlético de Sullana and UTC de Cajamarca.

The match was intense, but there were few chances. Photo source: UTC Cajamarca Facebook page

UTC Cajamarca dominated most of the match and had most of the goal chances. In the first half, Cusco FC tried to impose their usual play, based on ball possession, but they rarely reached the opposite box. The home side preferred a more direct approach, but their opportunities came mainly from shots from range, rather than well-built actions. Arce had a number of powerful shots (6', 8', 36'), the latter from a free kick close to the box, but goalkeeper Díaz saved without too much trouble.

Abdiel Arroyo (UTC) and Álvaro Ampuero (Cusco FC) in an aerial dispute for the ball. Photo source: UTC Cajamarca Facebook page

The second half was better in terms of actions and chances, but still very boring for the neutral audience. UTC pushed more, Marlon de Jesús' header went slightly wide (58'), and the same happened to the shots of Adolfo Muñoz (67' and 70'). 

Adolfo Muñoz had a couple of good shots, but missed the target. Photo source: Liga de Fútbol profesional - Perú (Facebook page)

The only goal of the game came logically for UTC Cajamarca, which was better, but it was due to a serious error of the referees (VAR included), which awarded a penalty for UTC Cajamarca for a hand ball by Soto (Cusco FC) in his own box that was purely accidental, with the ball initially sent from a corner kick, headed by Marlon de Jesús, and coming from the ground to his hand, which was in a natural position, less than one meter from where the striker hit it (75'). Some may say that this was a sort of "divine justice", given that Cusco FC received a similarly debatable penalty in the previous round, which allowed them to equalize the score (1-1) against Universitario.

Nevertheless, despite revision from VAR, the referee stood by his (wrong) decision, and the penalty was converted by the same Marlon de Jesús: 1-0 (78').

Marlon de Jesús celebrates after scoring the only goal of the match from the penalty spot. Photo source: UTC Cajamarca Facebook page

This proved to be the only and therefore decisive goal of the match. In the final minutes, Cusco FC tried everything to get an equalizer, but failed. Facundo Callejo had a shot (79'), but the greatest opportunity was missed by Nicolás Silva, in stoppage time (90'+2'). In both cases, goalkeeper Campos denied the equalizer for the visitors.

Cusco FC manager Miguel Rondelli tried to change something in this game - the line-up, starting with new players Manzaneda and Soto, which eventually proved to be a wrong decision. Manzaneda, while playing very well in the previous games after coming in, was one of the weakest in this game and the first to be substituted. Soto brought almost nothing in midfield and was the unlucky cause for the penalty which gave UTC the chance to win the game. Cusco FC desperately need a good result to get out of this poor form, and they might get it in the next round, when they have a relatively easy game at home against Comerciantes Unidos.

UTC Cajamarca, on the other hand, are free to dream, given their position almost at the top of the table. They are actually second, despite having the highest possible amount of points, because FBC Melgar with the same points have a better goal difference. Their next game will be away at ADT Tarma, a difficult one.

 UTC: Campos - Garro, Serra, Duarte, Caro (Huerto 82') - Dioses, Arce (Figuera 63') - Camacho (Arroyo 63'), Lliuya, Muñoz (Rasmussen 72') - De Jesús (Ganoza 82'). Manager: Carlos Bustos.

Cusco: Díaz - Ruidías, Fuentes, Gamarra (Silva 81'), Ampuero - Soto, Valenzuela (Tévez 81') - Colitto, Colmán, Manzaneda (Carabajal 65') - Callejo. Manager: Miguel Rondelli.

Referee: Joel Alarcón.

Yellow cards: Dioses 80' - Fuentes 36', Gamarra 53'. 

The best of 2025

2025 has been a challenging year for most of the 10 teams we are writing about: Bourj FC, Cusco FC, Fayoum SC, Kamonyi FC, 1. FK Svidník, FK Tryavna 1922, Total Soccer, Maaraba SC, Maardu Linnameeskond II FC Starmedia, and Terrace Onions FC. There have been many ups and downs, so it is very difficult to draw an overall conclusion.

The two teams that play at the top level, Bourj FC and Cusco FC, had a good year. The situation is still very different for each of them. Cusco FC had indeed an excellent 2025 season, ending in second place in the Peruvian First Division (Liga 1), after winning the play-off to play directly in the 2026 Copa Libertadores group stage. This actually equals the best performance of the club in history, as they finished second in three other occasions (2013, 2014, and 2017), but either after losing the play-off final for the title (2013 and 2014) or without any play-offs (2017). This was the second consecutive year with Argentinian manager Miguel Rondelli, and it was even better than the previous one, so we are witnessing an era of unusual stability for Cusco FC, which pays off in terms of results.

On the other hand, Bourj finished in great style the 2024-2025 season, in 7th place, which was the best achievable in the play-out, but the club is struggling financially. In summer, the financial situation was critical, and the club was barely able to start the new season (2025-2026). At the end of the regular season, they are in 10th place, right above the relegation line, and the situation is not as bad as it was in the previous season from the point of view of the regular season, but the club is once again facing financial bankruptcy. Support is needed quickly or the team may even withdraw from the competition.

The only team playing in the second tier, Kamonyi FC of Rwanda, had a rather poor year, finishing in 9th place (out of 13 teams) in Group B of the Second Division at the end of the 2024-2025 season. The situation is not very bright either in 2025-2026.

Total Soccer have recovered a little after a very poor 2024 season. This year, they managed a better performance in the Colombian Primera C (third tier), qualifying for the knock-out stages, but they were eventually eliminated in the third round. They also had good results in the Colombian Youth League.

Fayoum SC continue their downfall, with rather mediocre results in the Egyptian Second Division B (third tier), as they finished the 2024-2025 season in 8th place (out of 11), and they are equally meandering in the lower half of the table in the 2025-2026 season.

Terrace Onions FC were equally in the lower half of the table in the Bermudian Corona League (third tier) at the end of the 2024-2025 season, and they are not any better in 2025-2026.

The worst situation has been however registered by 1. FK Svidník, which withdrew at the beginning of spring from the Slovak 4th League, and were relegated straight to the lowest existing tier, which in their case is the local Svidník League (7th tier). Although big favorites to win the league and to promote, they seem to be unable to get things right even at this very low level, and they are only 6th (out of 12) after the first half of the 2025-2026 season.

One might think that there is nothing worse than that, but there is. FK Tryavna 1922 are in fact in such a position, because this is the second consecutive year that the team has not been enrolled in any senior competition. The club still exists but only with some junior teams.

To end up on a happy note, we should highlight the fact that Maardu Linnameeskond II has been revived after several years of silence. The first team back to back promotions to the Esiliiga B and now to Esiliiga (second tier in Estonian football) triggered the need for a second team, which has been reestablished after a merger with Tallinna FC Starmedia, so now the team has a very long name: Maardu Linnameeskond II FC Starmedia. They competed in the Estonian Second League B (the fifth tier) and finished third, very close to promotion, which would surely come the next year if things will continue in the same way.

Even Maaraba SC of Syria showed some signs of life after many years of reduced activity, limited only to junior teams. Their senior team has been recently reactivated and they have even played a few friendly matches, perhaps having in view the participation to official competitions once again.

Best team

Cusco FC

Best performance

Cusco FC 2-0 Sporting Cristal (play-off final for the second place, second leg)

Best manager

Ahmad Atwi (Bourj FC)

Best player

Facundo Callejo (Cusco FC)

A Happy New Year to everyone! 

Cusco FC won the play-off for the second place and qualified for the group stage of Copa Libertadores

Cusco FC 2-0 (1-0) Sporting Cristal

Colman 37' penalty, Callejo 56'

First leg: 0-1. Cusco FC won 2-1 on aggregate.

Sunday, 14 December 2025, 6 pm local time (11 pm UTC), Inca Garcilaso de la Vega Stadium, Cusco, Peru, 2nd leg of the play-off final, Peruvian First Division (Liga 1).

 Cusco FC starting line-up. Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page

 Sporting Cristal starting line-up. Photo source: Liga 1 Facebook page

Cusco FC had their greatest achievement in their history on Sunday evening, the 14th of December 2025, when they succeeded to win 2-0 (and 2-1 on aggregate) over Sporting Cristal in the play-off final for the second place. It is true, for those who remember, that they were runners-up three times before, when their name was Real Garcilaso, in 2012, 2013, and 2017, but in two of those situations they ended up in second place after losing the play-off for the title, and certainly there was no joy in losing the title, while in 2017 they classified second without any play-offs. This time, according to the new regulations, even if Universitario became champions by winning both tournaments of the year (Apertura and Clausura), a play-off for the second place was organised for the first time in the history of Peruvian football. This was not necessarily what Cusco FC would have wanted, since they finished second in the aggregate table anyway. The third (Alianza Lima) and fourth (Sporting Cristal) classified played a semifinal, and Sporting Cristal qualified to the final rather surprisingly at penalties, after two draws, 1-1 and 3-3.

In the first leg of the final, Sporting Cristal won 1-0 at home, the only goal scored by Santiago González rather early (15'). Sporting Cristal missed several chances to increase their advantage, but Cusco FC also had a huge chance to equalize in the final minutes, when Juan Manuel Tévez missed the target in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper.

Marlon Ruidías (Cusco FC, left) tries to get past Maxloren Castro (Sporting Cristal). Photo source: Liga 1 Facebook page

In Cusco, the match started from 1-0 to Sporting Cristal, the slender advantage that the team of Lima had from the first leg. The visitors focused primarily on wasting as much time as possible in the first 35 minutes of the game, keeping the ball away from their own box, fragmenting the game, and establishing a pace as low as possible. Even when they had the chance of a swift and dangerous counterattack, they preferred to scale down and to keep possession of the ball, instead of creating a chance. On the other hand, Cusco FC tried to built up the attacks in the usual style, but it did not work out so well in the first half an hour, possibly because they tried too much to speed things up, when a calmer mood would have probably helped more.

The first chance came after more than half an hour, when Marlon Ruidías had a good shot from range, but Enríquez saved (31'). This gave the signal for a more serious offensive from the home side, and it paid off quickly. The same Ruidías crossed from the right side, and Miguel Araujo tackled Pierre da Silva inside the box (35'). The referee left the game to continue for a few seconds more, but Cusco FC did not score, so he whistled and awarded a penalty for Cusco FC. Ivan Colman converted calmly: 1-0 (37').

 

Ivan Colman (Cusco FC) converted the penalty, bringing the final to a tie on aggregate. Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page

After the goal, Sporting Cristal woke up from the dead and started playing some football, while Cusco FC retreated instinctively in defence, although they actually needed a second goal to win the play-off final. The match became more animated. Cusco FC had a number of dangerous crosses from the right, while Sporting Cristal reached several times the opposite box. The biggest chance of the visitors in the first half came in stoppage time, when Gerald Távara's shot from long range was blocked by goalkeeper Díaz (45'+1').

Cusco FC centre-back Carlos Gamarra headed the ball away in front of Diego Otoya (Sporting Cristal). Photo source: Liga 1 Facebook page

The second half started equally interesting, with both teams in search of a goal that would bring them in advantage. Once again, Cusco FC seemed the team more willing and eager to attack, and once again they were rewarded. Lucas Colitto took a corner from the left side, Fuentes made a sort of paravan for Facundo Callejo, whose right-footed powerful shot went in: 2-0 (56').

Facundo Callejo (left) celebrates after he scored the second and decisive goal of the game, joined by Carlo Díez. Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page

Paulo Autuori, Sporting Cristal manager, reacted and made three changes (60'), a little bit too late, I would say. The game was actually played. However, the visitors had more than 30 minutes to score a goal and force the penalties, as they did against Alianza Lima in the semifinal, when they came back from 3-1 for Alianza to 3-3, and then they won the penalty shoot-outs. But this happened in Lima, because both Alianza and Sporting Cristal are from Lima. It is different in Cusco, at more than 3,000 metres above sea level. The locals are adapted, those from Lima are not, and their physical strength was on a descending curve in the second half, despite the substitutions, which actually did not bring too much.

The biggest danger came from Gerald Távara, whose long range shots (one of them from a free kick, 71') gave some trouble to goalkeeper Díaz. A potential numerical superiority in an attack was poorly judged by newly-entered Luis Iberico, who chose to try a shot instead of a logical pass to one of the free teammates ideally placed in the box (77').

Pierre da Silva, who had made an excellent game until then, had the bad idea of tackling hard Santiago González from behind (79'). He probably knew he was going to be substituted, and possibly had some sort of revenge to take against the Cristal winger. He thought a yellow card would not be much. Wrong decision. The referee gave him a yellow card initially, but after reviewing the action with the help of VAR he changed his mind and awarded a straight red (83'). Therefore, Da Silva left his team down to 10 men in a difficult situation, while Aucca, who was prepared to come in (celebrating his 150th match for Cusco FC), had to remain on the bench.

In the final minutes, tensions rose to new heights. There was an incident involving a ball boy who kept the ball in his hands, to be taken away somewhat aggresively by one Sporting Cristal staff. Several minutes went before the situation calmed. The referee indicated 7 minutes of stoppage time, then 9 minutes of stoppage time, then 10. Cusco FC wasted as much time as possible, while Sporting Cristal created as much pressure as they could in the opposite box, but their actions became predictible, with long high balls sent randomly in the box and easily cleared by Cusco FC defenders, on and on again.

Cusco FC players celebrating together with the large crowd that came to support them. Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page

There was nothing else to be done, Cusco FC resisted until the final whistle, and the game finished 2-0. Cusco FC won 2-1 on aggregate, won the play-off for the second place, and qualified after 8 years in the group stages of Copa Libertadores.

Cusco FC, 2025 runners-up of the Peruvian First Division (Liga 1). Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page

After the game, the Peruvian Federation officials gave the silver medals to all the players and staff of Cusco FC, who celebrated this achievement in the field together with their supporters. 

The entire squad deserves to be congratulated, but special mentions need to go to Pedro Díaz, the best goalkeeper in the league, Ivan Colman, the player with most assists in the league (18 assists), and Facundo Callejo, the best goalscorer of the league, with 25 goals. It is worth noting that the second best in terms of assists is Lucas Colitto, also of Cusco FC, with 11 assists.

Goalkeeper Pedro Díaz with the award for the best goalkeeper in the play-offs. He was also recently called up for the Peru national team as well. Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page

These results would not have been possible without the team led by manager Miguel Rondelli. His contribution to the accomplishments of Cusco FC in the last 2 years is enormous, and he should be kept in charge as long as possible. One wonders how far can he get with this team.

Cusco FC: Díaz - Ruidías (Zevallos 86'), Fuentes, Gamarra, Ampuero - Valenzuela, Diez - Da Silva, Colman, Colitto (Silva 65') - Callejo (Tévez 74'). Manager: Miguel Rondelli.

Sporting Cristal: Enríquez - Sosa, Araujo, Lütiger, Castro (Iberico 76') - Távara, Cazonatti (Pretell 60'), Wisdom (Pasquini 60') - S. González, Otoya (Ávila 65'), Pacheco (Benavente 60'). Manager: Paulo Autuori.

Referee: Bruno Pérez.

Yellow cards: Ampuero 51', Fuentes 69' - Pacheco 26', Távara 54', C. Gonzales 81'.

Red card: Da Silva 83'.

Cusco FC staff, including manager Miguel Rondelli (third from the right). Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page

Cusco FC are in the play-off final for the second place, Alianza Lima and Sporting Cristal will play the semifinal

Sport Huancayo 1-2 Cusco FC

Piero Magallanes 74' - Lucas Colitto 45'+3', Nicolás Silva 68'.

Sunday, 23 Novemeber 2025, 3 pm local time (8 pm UTC), IPD Huancayo Stadium, Huancayo, Peru, 19th (last) round of Clausura, Peruvian First Division (Liga 1).

Cusco FC starting line-up. Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page

Tough game between two Peruvian strong teams, in the last matchday of the season, each team still with objectives to achieve on the table, unfortunately quite different from each other but unachievable at the same time. Cusco FC needed at least a draw to secure the second place in the aggregate table, which would provide them with a place directly in the play-off for the second place (yes, the title is already gone, Universitario de Deportes are champions for the third time in a row). While Sport Huancayo needed to win to clinch the eighth place in the aggregate table, the last one leading to Copa Sudamericana in 2026. Well, to tell the complete story, Cusco FC might have lost and still be second if and only if Alianza Lima would not win at home against UTC Cajamarca, but this was not the case, so the game was on.

In the first half, the game was unrecognizable. Was this football after all? Cusco FC were worried only to have as much possession as possible, but they had it mostly in their own half, without too much pressure on the opponents. Sport Huancayo would have liked to attack, but they simply did not have the ball too much, and their attacks were quickly smothered by Cusco. The first shot on target came only in 25', when Cusco goalkeeper Díaz saved a shot from Enzo Fernández. 

Another event was that Aldair Fuentes, one of Cusco FC centre-backs, was injured and had to be replaced in 35' by Carlos Gamarra - quite a blow for Cusco FC defense. 

The surprise came at the end of the first half, actually in those 4 minutes of stoppage time, given because of Fuentes' injury. A long ball to the left side, Lucas Colitto combined one-two with Iván Colman, and there he was in the box, and a shot to the far corner gave Cusco FC an unexpected lead: 0-1 (45'+3').

Cusco FC players celebrating (left to right): Facundo Callejo, Iván Colman, Carlo Diez, Miguel Aucca, Lucas Colitto, and Nicolás Silva. Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page

The second half was much more entertaining. It started with a penalty for Sport Huancayo: Sanguinetti's shot was blocked by Álex Custodio with his hands (50'). However, the shot came from very short distance, the hands were in front of the body and actually on Janio Pósito, the ball would have been blocked by Custodio's body anyway, and the ball seemed to have been slightly deviated by Pósito's back before hitting Custodio's hands. The referee initially decided to play on, and Sanguinetti even had a second shot, saved by Díaz. Two minutes afterwards, however, the VAR changed his mind and called the referee to review. Finally, a penalty was given. Pósito took the penalty, hit hard but in the middle and Díaz saved (56')!

The pressure from Sport Huancayo continued nevertheless, and Díaz saved other strong shots as well, when the defenders were not able to contain the attacks. It was while the home side was clearly looking for an equalizer when Cusco FC stroke again. Much like the first goal: on the left side Nicolás Silva combined with the same Iván Colman, one-two, entered the box and had a shot at the far post: 0-2 (68').

It was yet another blow for Sport Huancayo, but they did not give up, and mounted their offensive again. Shortly after, they managed to reduce the difference. Nahuel Luján crossed from the right on the far post, and sub Piero Magallanes, all alone 7 meters away from goal, succeeded to make the right touch on the ball to send it home: 1-2 (74').

Nothing was over yet. Huancayo even had an equalizer, denied by VAR. It started with a silly pass back to Gamarra, who slipped, goalkeeper Díaz came out of the box and tried to clear, but hit Marlon de Jesús, and the ball went straight into goal (82')! VAR entered the game once again, showing the referee that the ball had hit Marlon de Jesús' arms, then his leg. In any other action it would not have been handball, because the distance was very small, but because a goal came out of it, it had to be cancelled, although one can argue that it was not scored with a hand, as the last part of the body which touched the ball was the leg. Nevertheless, de Jesús did not nothing on purpose, the ball just hit him, and that's it, his main contribution was that he was there to pressurize the goalkeeper, Díaz, who played perfectly until this. The goal was anyway cancelled, and Cusco FC had to take extra precautions in the remaining minutes, although an equalizer would not have done much harm, and would have not helped Sport Huancayo. The home side continued to attack, but were not able to score, so Cusco FC won and are second in the Clausura as well as in the aggregate table, so they qualified directly in the play-off final for the second place. 

In the semifinal, Sporting Cristal (fourth in the aggregate table) will take on Alianza Lima (third in the aggregate table), to decide which of them will play against Cusco FC in the final. All these teams are qualified for the next year Copa Libertadores, but the winner of the play-off will go straight in the group stage, just like the champions, Universitario de Deportes, while the finalist and semifinalist will have to go through preliminary rounds of Copa Libertadores. Sport Huancayo's defeat also helped Cusco FC local rivals Cienciano to snatch the eighth place and therefore to qualify for the next year Copa Sudamericana, which they achieved by winning 2-1 over Ayacucho, sending Ayacucho in the Second Division (Liga 2).

Huancayo: Zamudio - Madrid, Murillo, Gaona, Herrera (Barboza 55') - Salcedo, Villar (Carranza 61') - Luján, Sanguinetti (Magallanes 55'), Fernández (De Jesús 61') - Pósito (Martínez 68'). Manager: Richard Pellejero.

Cusco FC: Díaz - Zevallos (Tévez 90'), Fuentes (Gamarra 35'), Custodio, Ampuero - Diez, Aucca (Ruidías 77') - Silva (Da Silva 77'), Colman, Colitto - Callejo. Manager: Miguel Rondelli.

Referee: Edwin Ordóñez.

Yellow cards: Murillo 71' - Ruidías 64', Diez 79'.

Final tables of Clausura and the aggregate table (Apertura + Clausura):

Final Clausura table

 

1	Universitario de Deportes (W, C)	17	12	4	1	29-13	40	Champions
2	Cusco FC	17	11	3	3	29-15	36
3	Sporting Cristal	17	9	4	4	29-13	31
4	Alianza Lima	17	9	4	4	30-19	31
5	Cienciano	17	8	3	6	25-21	27
6	Los Chankas	17	9	0	8	21-28	27
7	Comerciantes Unidos	17	7	5	5	20-21	26
8	FBC Melgar	17	6	7	4	24-17	25
9	Deportivo Garcilaso	17	6	7	4	20-21	25
10	ADT Tarma	17	7	4	6	19-20	25
11	Alianza Atlético	17	6	5	6	15-12	23
12	Sport Huancayo	17	5	3	9	28-28	18
13	Alianza Universidad	17	5	2	10	23-33	17
14	Atlético Grau	17	4	4	9	19-24	16
15	Sport Boys	17	4	4	9	14-25	16
16	Juan Pablo II College	17	3	5	9	13-23	14
17	Ayacucho FC	17	4	2	11	16-29	14
18	UTC Cajamarca	17	3	4	10	16-28	13

 

Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) goals scored; 4) fair-play (according to the number of red and yellow cards); 5) drawing of lots.

 

W – Clausura winners

C – Champions (because they won both Apertura and Clausura)

 

Final aggregate table (Apertura + Clausura)

 

1	Universitario de Deportes	35	24	7	4	67-25	79	Champions, qualified for CL
2	Cusco FC	35	21	7	7	63-35	70	Qualified for play-offs & CL
3	Alianza Lima	35	20	8	7	53-30	68	Qualified for play-offs & CL
4	Sporting Cristal	35	19	6	10	60-37	63	Qualified for play-offs & CL
5	Alianza Atlético	35	17	6	12	43-30	57	Qualified for C.Sudamericana
6	FBC Melgar	35	14	14	7	52-37	56	Qualified for C.Sudamericana
7	Deportivo Garcilaso	35	14	10	11	48-40	52	Qualified for C.Sudamericana
8	Cienciano	35	13	11	11	54-46	50	Qualified for C.Sudamericana
9	Los Chankas	35	14	8	13	45-53	50
10	ADT Tarma	35	13	10	12	43-50	49
11	Sport Huancayo	35	14	6	15	51-49	48
12	Atlético Grau	35	9	11	15	42-48	38
13	Comerciantes Unidos	35	9	10	16	37-52	37
14	Sport Boys	35	9	9	17	40-53	36
15	Juan Pablo II College	35	8	9	18	33-51	33
16	UTC Cajamarca	35	8	8	19	33-62	32
17	Ayacucho FC (R)	35	8	5	22	30-56	29	Relegated to Liga 2
18	Alianza Universidad (R)	35	7	7	21	39-66	28	Relegated to Liga 2
19	Deportivo Binacional (R)	18	4	6	8	20-33	18	Relegated to Liga 2

 

Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) goals scored; 4) fair-play (according to the number of red and yellow cards); 5) drawing of lots.

 

R – relegated