He was the hero of Sporting Cristal in Arequipa! After being widely surpassed in the first half (Melgar scored 1-0 and hit the post a couple of times), the team of Tiago Nunes came out with a different mentality in the second half and found their reward: in the 72nd minute of the game, Joao Grimaldo made a great play with Brenner Marlos, entered the area with ball control and shot with his left foot to equalize. Carlos Cáceda, who had recently denied him a goal, couldn't do anything this time.
The young forward once again demonstrated all his skill and associative play - as well as finishing - to save the celeste team. When it seemed that the goal was closed (Cáceda had made a spectacular double save), Grimaldo shifted into gear, started and didn't stop until he put the ball into the net. The fans and the coaching staff of Cristal shouted it euphorically.
Joao has secured a spot in Tiago Nunes' starting eleven and surprises football fans every game. He has scored 4 goals so far this season (3 in Liga 1 Betsson and 1 in the Copa Libertadores) and also has five assists. If Sporting Cristal remains strong in their fight for the Clausura Tournament 2023, it is thanks to Grimaldo.
Sporting Cristal vs. Melgar: what's next for them
After this match for the 5th round of the Clausura Tournament 2023, Sporting Cristal will play again next week when they host Deportivo Binacional for the 6th matchday. This match is scheduled for Thursday, July 27th at 3:00 p.m. It will be played at the Alberto Gallardo Stadium and will have the exclusive broadcast of Liga 1 MAX. When these two teams faced each other in the Apertura, the victory went to the 'cerveceros' thanks to Leandro Sosa's lone goal.
Since they are already out of the race in the Copa Sudamericana after being eliminated by Emelec, the rimenses will focus fully on the Liga 1 Betsson and will seek to win the Clausura in order to qualify for the playoffs for the national title. Remember that the last time they were champions was in 2020, when they defeated Universitario in the final with an overall score of 2-1.
Melgar, on the other hand, will also have activity on matchday 6 when they visit Sport Boys in Villa El Salvador. This match is scheduled for Sunday, July 31st at 1:00 p.m. It will take place at the Iván Elías Moreno Stadium and will have the exclusive broadcast of GOLPERU. The last time these two teams faced each other was in the Apertura, with a victory for 'Dominó' by 2-0 with a brace from Luis Iberico.
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