Nacional Suffocated In Cusco

El Tricolor came to the capital of the Inca empire with hopes of getting points out of their match against Cienciano. But there was no taking into account that Franco Navarro’s men were well installed on the pitch, and they were capable to attack mostly from the middle courtesy of the brilliant performances of William Chiroque and Roberto Guizasola on the left and right respectively. But it would be Guizasola that made the difference as he opened the flood gates on the right. Both goals came from that area.
Cienciano dominated the second half as they were allowed to play in front of a team that was feeling the effects of the altitude. And in the 54th minute a headsy play by former Japanese international Masakatzu Sawa whose throw in to Guizasola and the proceeding cross into the box saw Vasallo beat out his defender and redirected the cross into the back of the net.

But Nacional weren’t done. El Bolso might have been down, were not out of this match. In the 57th minute Richard Morales was on the left of the Cienciano goal man to man against Solia and whipped out a shot to the first post. Juan Flores was able ot put a hand on it, but could not direct it out of bounds. Instead the ball went behind him and teased Nacional fans as it danced on the goal line.

For the next few minutes both teams played in the middle of the pitch, but Guizasola off a freekick cross found Vasallo. His perfect header. The Incas took the advantage to slow down the game and that is when the game favored a Nacional team that could never find themselves after the sending off of defender Adrián Romero late in the first half. The only consolation they would return to Montevideo with was a brilliant freekick goal by Mauricio Victorino.

Cienciano 2-0 Nacional
CIE: Vasallo (54′, 67′)
NAC: Victorino (89′)