By: Luis Imaña.
Sporting Cristal achieved a tremendous result by defeating Alianza Atlético 2-0 in Sullana for the 18th round of the Clausura Tournament.
The sky blue team had suffered a hard defeat against Atlético Grau at the Alberto Gallardo stadium and needed a win to keep their hopes of winning the second tournament of the season.
Despite the scorching heat in the Campeones del 36 stadium, the Celestials had several opportunities to alter the score, with Joao Grimaldo being the most decisive. However, the goals were delayed.
YOU CAN SEE: Who is Joel López, the Argentine who scored against Cristal and gave Alianza life in the Clausura?
On the other hand, the local team created their chances through Franco Zanellato, who came close to scoring, but the interventions of Omar Merlo and Alejandro Duarte frustrated the attempts of the 'Vendaval'.
The clarity in the Celestial's offensive came when Roberto Mosquera sent Jesús Castillo and Diego Buonanotte onto the field in the 67th minute.
The Argentine midfielder was in charge of opening the scoring in the 68th minute, after defining to the far post after receiving a pass from Grimaldo in the area.
YOU CAN SEE: Penny 'explodes' against Liga 1 after penalty not given against Cristal: "It's a lack of respect"
Roberto Mosquera once again made a successful decision by making a substitution and sending Alejandro Hohberg onto the field, since the '10' sealed the 2-0 victory in the 93rd minute.
With his goal, Hohberg consolidated himself as the top scorer of Sporting Cristal in the current Clausura Tournament with a total of 6 goals in 16 matches, followed by Buonanotte with 4.
The 20-time champion of Peruvian football returned to win in Sullana after more than 3 years, when they faced each other in the Copa Bicentenario.
YOU CAN SEE: Clausura Tournament: three teams in the race for the title
Likewise, the 'Celestial Machine' extended a favorable record against Alianza Atlético, a rival they have defeated in the last 11 matches. The last time Cristal failed to win three points against the 'Vendaval' was in May 2015, when they drew 1-1.
After this match, the 'rimense' team returns to the top of the championship with 38 points and puts pressure on Alianza Lima, which will have to defeat Ayacucho FC tomorrow at the Ciudad de Cumaná stadium to reach 39 points and surpass the 'cerveceros'.
The 'rimense' team will try to close the Clausura 2022 in a great way when they host Carlos Mannucci on Sunday while waiting for the blanquiazul team to stumble.
Joao Grimaldo has scored 4 goals in the current season with Sporting Cristal. Photo: composition GLR/SCristal
YOU CAN SEE: What needs to happen for there to be semifinals between 4 different clubs in the Liga 1 2022?
Melgar is fighting for their life against Grau
The 'Dominó' will fight to stay close to the top of the Clausura Tournament when they face Atlético Grau today (3:00 p.m.) at the Estadio Municipal de Bernal. Pablo Lavallén will use all his weapons and Bernardo Cuesta will not be the exception. The red and white '9' missed the match against Sport Boys and, although he is not fully recovered, he will be part of the team.