Estudiantes drew 1-1 with Cusco FC in Peru

From the opening whistle, the “Pincha” felt the impact of the thin air. Cusco FC set a frantic pace and turned Fernando Muslera into the standout player of the night. The Uruguayan goalkeeper kept the score level with three key saves, but there was nothing he could do in the 36th minute of the first half, when Lucas Colitto finally broke through Estudiantes’ resistance to make it 1-0 after constant pressure. Estudiantes went into the break exhausted and with the feeling that the scoreline was flattering.

In the second half, the script changed. Medina adjusted the lines and Estudiantes came out with a different mindset. In the 11th minute, Tiago Palacios played a perfect one-two with youngster Mikel Amondarain and finished calmly to level the match.

With the introductions of Cetré and Farías, the Argentine side got its second wind and even pushed for the win in the closing stages. Although Cusco tried to respond with attacking substitutions, the defensive order of González Pirez and Muslera’s assurance secured a draw that leaves Estudiantes in a strong position for the round of 16.

CUSCO FC (1): Pedro Díaz; José Zevallos, Álvaro Ampuero, Aldair Fuentes, Marlon Ruidías; José Manzaneda, Oswaldo Valenzuela, Diego Soto, Lucas Colitto; Iván Colman and Facundo Callejo. Coach: Miguel Rondelli.

ESTUDIANTES (1): Fernando Muslera; Eric Meza, Leandro González Pirez, Tomás Palacios, Gastón Benedetti; Alexis Castro, Gabriel Neves, Mikel Amondarain; Tiago Palacios, Guido Carrillo and Fabricio Pérez. Coach: Alexander Medina.