Melgar beat Sporting Cristal 2-0 at the Universidad Nacional de San Agustin on Thursday – breaking the visitors’ six-game unbeaten streak in the Primera Division.
Goals from Tomas Martinez and Bernardo Cuesta gave Marco Valencia’s side the win.
Martinez put Melgar ahead in the 32nd minute with a low shot into the right corner. Melgar doubled their lead three minutes from time through Cuesta who completed a counter-attack.
Cuesta squandered a big chance for Melgar, while Cristal lamented Franco Romero’s lack of composure.
Did you know?
Melgar extended his scoring streak in the first division to 18 games. They have not been at zero since a draw on March 2 against Comerciantes Unidos.
Melgar held the opposition without shots on target for the first time this season.
Melgar has added 44 points (W14 D2 L2) out of a possible 54 since Marco Valencia took over as coach on March 9.
Highlights
Consequences:
Melgar is fourth with 13 points from seven matches in the final round. Melgar has a run of 11 consecutive home wins in the tournament that began on February 10 against Alianza Atlético.
Sporting Cristal, who have gone four games without a win away from home (0 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses), are fifth with 12 points from eight games.
About the results of the goals:
Cuesta has scored 14 league goals this season, making him the team’s top scorer, as well as the third-highest scorer in the league overall. Carlos Caseda kept his seventh clean sheet in 23 league games.
Injury Report:
Melgar was forced to make a forced change in the 78th minute, replacing Matias Lazo.
Impact of VAR technology:
The match remained goalless when Melgar Bernardo Cuesta’s shot was disallowed in the 21st minute.
“Analyst. Web buff. Wannabe beer trailblazer. Certified music expert. Zombie lover. Explorer. Pop culture fanatic.”