Universitario de Deportes confirmed its starting lineup and played to a 2-2 draw against Sport Boys in a rescheduled Liga 1 Clausura fixture at the Estadio Monumental, as reported by Depor. The result leaves Universitario sharing the top of the table with 31 points alongside Sporting Cristal and Sport Huancayo.
Universitario Confirms Starting XI Against Sport Boys
For the postponed Clausura clash at the Estadio Monumental, Universitario manager Fabián Bustos selected Miguel Vargas in goal. The defensive line featured Caín Fara, Williams Riveros, and Anderson Santamaría, as reported by RPP Noticias.
The midfield pairing and wide areas included Horacio Calcaterra, Jairo Concha, Edison Flores, Andy Polo, and César Inga. Up front, Álex Valera teamed up with Gianluca Lapadula to lead the attack for the Lima side.
On the opposing side, Sport Boys started with Diego Melián in goal behind defenders Emilio Saba, Carlos Zambrano, Hansell Riojas, and Mathias Llontop. Christian Cueva, Federico Illanes, Jostin Alarcón, and Oslimg Mora anchored the midfield, while Luis Urruti and Pablo Erustes started in the forward line, according to RPP Noticias.
Cueva Converts Penalty After Lapadula Fouls Zambrano
Sport Boys struck first when Gianluca Lapadula fouled Carlos Zambrano inside the penalty area at the 23-minute mark. Christian Cueva converted the resulting penalty with a Panenka-style shot past Miguel Vargas, as noted by RPP Noticias.
Television footage later revealed a brief exchange between Cueva and opposing goalkeeper Diego Melián just before a subsequent penalty. According to a lip-reading analysis by N60 Noticias cited by Diario Libero, Cueva told Melián, “Es abajo, la cruza abajo. Abajo siempre,” as Álex Valera prepared to take the kick.
Moments before halftime, Universitario earned a penalty when Hansell Riojas fouled Lapadula. Diego Melián guessed correctly on Valera’s shot, diving to stop the attempt and preserving the 1-0 lead for Sport Boys into the intermission, as reported by ESPN Deportes.
Liza Scores Before Valera and Fara Equalize
Fabián Bustos made several tactical substitutions, but an injury to substitute Lisandro Alzugaray disrupted Universitario’s rhythm. Sport Boys capitalized on a counterattack in the 83rd minute when Percy Liza scored to extend the visitors’ lead to 2-0, according to ESPN Deportes.
Universitario responded in the final minutes. In the 88th minute, Álex Valera scored following a header pivot from Lapadula. Three minutes later, Caín Fara scored with a backheel finish to level the match at 2-2, as detailed by ESPN Deportes.
The draw leaves Universitario with 31 points, sharing the top of the Clausura table with Sporting Cristal and Sport Huancayo, though Sporting Cristal holds the advantage on goal difference, as reported by ESPN Deportes.
Next Fixtures in Liga 1
Universitario prepares to face Deportivo Moquegua at home in its next Liga 1 Clausura fixture, as reported by ESPN Deportes.
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