🎥 One foot in the next round? Palmeiras go top after beating Cristal | OneFootball

Palmeiras took over the lead of Group F in the Copa Libertadores ahead of two straight home games.

This time, playing at Alejandro Villanueva Stadium in Lima, Verdão once again defeated Sporting Cristal. 

Flaco López and Sosa secured the 2-0 win on Tuesday night (5). 

Flaco makes the difference in a lively first half

Sporting Cristal did not just sit back and wait for Palmeiras.

It went after Abel’s team, making the match “dangerous.”

Verdão gradually improved as the minutes passed. 

Mainly thanks to Allan and Arias. 

Enríquez was making a difference for Brazilian coach Zé Ricardo’s side.

But there was no stopping Flaco López’s fine goal after the Colombian’s cross (32').

Carlos Miguel had to make saves, as Palmeiras struggled with the sheer number of crosses.

Arias had a great chance to extend the lead before halftime, but failed to take it.

Opponent pushes, but Verdão punishes

Sporting Cristal had no other option: it needed to go after at least one point in its final home game.

But it ended up helping the clinical Palmeiras double the lead.

The well-worked counterattack should have been cut out by Lutiger.

Instead, he gave an “assist” to Sosa to make it 2-0 (50').

Persistent, the home side saw Carlos Miguel deny them twice.

And it was unable even to pull one back.

Palmeiras did not play a completely secure game. But it showed the quality to score twice and put itself in a good position in the Libertadores.

📊 Standings and schedule 📅

Sporting Cristal remains on six points and now has to hope Cerro Porteño (four), who will visit Junior (one) on Thursday (7), slip up.

The Peruvian side will wrap up its group-stage campaign with two away games: Junior (5/20) and Cerro (5/28).

Verdão, meanwhile, moved up to eight points. It will also be keeping an eye on the aforementioned match. 

The team’s next two games will be at home. It will host Cerro (5/20) and Junior (5/28).

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

📸 ERNESTO BENAVIDES - AFP or licensors