El Cacique was far superior in the first half, but only won 1-0 (Lucero missed a penalty). The lack of goal diminished the albos, who ended up equalizing 1-1. The next stage of the Cup will be nothing less than the Monumental de River.
Colo Colo knew how to give a blow of authority to Peru. A victory on his trip to Alianza Lima could give him a more than important step towards the knockout stages of the Copa Libertadores. But he missed his chance. At the National Stadium, the same one which received the UC against Sporting Cristal the day before, the albos forgave the Intimates of Victory. It was a 1-1 draw with a very bitter taste, because the Cacique had everything to return to Santiago with the three points.
It was a fight between two forces with notorious differences. The Quinteros team demonstrates a clear model (the team starts from memory) and is oriented, with a style that it maintains, beyond results. Meanwhile, the Peruvians are a smaller team, with no defined idea, especially offensively. Theirs was the urge and the desire, which turned out to find equality. Of course, they are dragging a nice negative streak: 10 years without winning the Cup.
The first half ended 1-0 in favor of Cacique, but the gap on the scoreboard could have been wider. A party that ended up weighing on the future of the meeting.
Using high pressure and control in midfield, Colo Colo was superior for the first 45 minutes. The protagonist was Juan Martín Lucero, not only because of the goal that opened the account, but also because of the chances he missed. The Argentinian striker had no less than four chances in half an hour.
The only one he could convert, in the first half, was in the 22nd minute, connecting the ball after a pivot from Falcón on a corner kick from Gil. The albos were left with the graceful option of closing the duel quickly, because They had a penalty in favor in the 25th minute. Lucero himself executes and deflects his shot. The Chileans’ attack posed many problems for the “intimate” defense, which was not in the game. They had huge cracks. Quinteros’ reactions indicated the lack of specificity.
The lament for lost goals became more intense at the start of the second half as Alianza found the draw coming out of the dressing room. The experienced Wilmer Aguirre defeated a few hesitant Falcón and Amor, and finished Cortés at the near post, triggering the euphoria of the home fans.
Most of the statistical indicators were in favor of the Whites, from ball possession to shots on goal. The offensive search towards the goal of Campos was continuous, but the goal was not beautiful. With 15 minutes remaining, the Peruvians nearly took the lead, but Cortés and Lady Luck lent a helping hand to the Nationals.
The home stretch was for anyone. Completely open stage, something that looked like a chimera in the middle of the first half, due to the superiority of Colo Colo, who ended up suffering because Alianza went after him with more determination. Quinteros has been delayed with the changes. Bolados and Zavala came in, but neither of them managed to make a level difference.
Finally, there was a tie that could weigh on the Cacique in the definition of the group, thinking that he was unable to adjust his aim against the weakest rival in the area.
In the other game of the group, Fortaleza drew 1-1 with Brazil’s River (Paulo Díaz was a Millionaires starter). It’s a result that gives Colo Colo air, as the Brazilians couldn’t come close on points. River leads the zone with 10 points, while the Chilean finalist is a shooter, with seven points.
As difficult as it may seem, Macul’s side can get their ticket to the next round at the Monumental de Núñez, against Marcelo Gallardo’s side on May 19, who also need help from Alianza, get points from the Brazilians. In the same way, the albos must receive Fortaleza, at the end of the group stage (May 25). It can be a real finale.
score sheet
Alliance Lima 1 : A. Fields; Y. Vilchez, C. Ramos, P. Miguez, F. Rojas; J.Balloon; P. Lavandeira, J. Concha (66′, M. Cornejo), E. Benítez (66′, A. Rodríguez); W. Aguirre (75′, D. Leiton) and H. Barcos. DT: C. Busts.
Colo Colo 1 :B. Cortes; O. Opazo, M. Falcon, E. Amor, G. Suazo; C. Fuentes (75′, M. Bolados), E. Pavez; P. Solari (83′, C. Zavala), L. Gil, G. Costa; and JM Lucero. DT: G.Quinteros.
Goals : 0-1, 22 ‘, Lucero, joined after corner; 1-1, 46’, Aguirre, shot at the near post
Arbitrator : N. Gallo (COL). He warned Ramos, Vilchez, Lavandeira, Cornejo, Barcos (AL); Pavez, Opazo, Falcon (CC).
Impact : 26′, Lucero deflects a penalty.
Lima National Stadium. 38,000 people attended, approx.
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Source: Latercera
I am Sandra Jackson, a journalist and content creator with extensive experience in the news industry. I have been working in the news media for over five years. During this time, I have worked as an author and editor at various outlets producing high-quality content that attracts readers from different demographics.
