As in 1999, Matute fell silent. On December 20th, the “U” celebrated its 23rd star at the home of its eternal rival. The Chemos and Pumas were no longer on the field, but the Quispes and Flores were hungry for glory. And the champion’s scream, hidden in the throats of thousands of fans, could still be heard ten years later.
The long-awaited Star 27 came for Universitario from the hand of Jorge FossatI, the Uruguayan coach, came to put out a fire in Ate and began a romance with the creams until he led them to glory. We had to defeat the two-time champion, an Alianza who had been forgotten for a year. However, in a finale and a classic, everything is ignored.
Two minutes were enough for Universitario to take the lead. The Creams came out with the same script as the first finale. Overflow, Polo’s pass into the center of the penalty area and Flores, very well positioned, scores with a header. The player with the most important goals in the Peruvian team was present in Matute to lead the Creams to the championship.
YOU CAN SEE: The Universitario players turned over the Alianza crest during their celebrations in the dressing rooms
Friendship. Barcos and Ballón congratulated their rivals on their victory. Photo: Luis Jiménez/La República
Flores silenced Matute and the confidential reaction took a while. The score of the goal in the first minutes changed the plans of Mauricio Larriera, who wanted to play the final with two leading men – Sabbag and boats– but they failed to disturb José Carvallo’s goal in the first twenty minutes.
The strong and frictional game was there. The familiars fell into despair and Ureña became the target of fouls in midfield. To the surprise of locals and strangers alike, we saw a replica of Saturday’s meeting at the Monumental. Fossati’s men took possession of the ball, pushed into the opponent’s area and tried to score the second goal.
Quispe, Flores and Ureña were the key figures for the superior team in the first half.
Larriera decided to move the bench and made changes less than ten minutes before the end of the first stage. Valenzuela leaves and Zanelatto comes in, who started in the first final and earned the title of revolutionary player in 2023, even being called up to the national team Juan Reynoso. Alianza played with a 4-4-2 from the 37th minute in search of the equalizer, but the flow of the game did not change.
YOU CAN SEE: Fans demand Larriera’s departure after title loss with the “U”: “He starts improvising in the final”
Safe and orderly, Ate’s team took precautions to avoid trouble, but in the 44th minute a diagonal and precise pass from the Blue and Whites ended with a dangerous ball in the penalty area, which Zanelatto headed but went slightly off course. So they went to the locker room.
Idol. The “Puma” Carranza celebrates the title together with Ureña. Photo: Luis Jiménez/La República
Cream superiority
Reyna came in for Sabbag and Costas for Lagos. Back to the start of this finale last weekend. The outlook for the local team changed. Reyna went on the attack and allowed Barcos to face Carvallo on more than one occasion, but the “U” goalkeeper was always careful to keep the ball.
The game went back and forth. The emotions of a final were there, the wear and tear was noticeable, especially in the “U” as no changes had been made until the 68th minute. Orejas, perhaps the best on the field, asked for a change and made way for Calcaterra.
YOU CAN SEE: After the 0-2 defeat against Universitario, Alianza Lima turned off the stadium lights and the fans entered
It took 78 minutes and Valera, alone in front of the goal, hit him hard and went out while Aldair Rodríguez was praying on the side of the field to be allowed to come in. There was tension The victory, but the creams had more to offer. 81 minutes and the unmarried Quispe came on for the singles and handed the ball to Calcaterra, who scored the national title goal. The victory is cream.
Reactions
Piero Quispe, university player
“I always trusted this group. When we were down, we always knew how to get up. This is the dream I’ve had since I was little; Thank God it was done and now it’s time to enjoy.”
Rodrigo Ureña, university player
“I’m very happy for my family, for everything we did this year, we fought against everything and everyone. We are champions because we were better there and here.”
