Melgar defeats the Uruguayan River with Cuesta’s ‘doublet’

The Melgar Peruvian recovered this Wednesday positions in Group B of the South American Cup after beating 2-0 at Uruguayan River Platein a match played at the UNSA Monumental Stadium in Arequipa.

The goals of the victory of the red and black team were scored by the Argentine striker Bernard Cuestaat 3 and 78 minutes.

In this way, Melgar managed to shake off the 2-0 defeat they suffered on the first date in their visit to the Brazilian Cuiabá, while River complicated their options in the tournament, since on the first day they lost at home by 0- 1 against Argentine Racing.

Melgar started at full speed and with the aim of subduing his rival with a fast game that sought to make the most of his local status at the 2,300-meter altitude of Arequipa.

Just three minutes in, Cuesta opened the scoring with a low shot to the center of the goal, after receiving an assist from full-back Alejandro Ramos after a swift drive down the right.

A minute later, fellow Argentine Cristian Bordacahar missed another clear option to increase the score for the locals by sending a shot from the right wide.

From then on, the game maintained its intensity, but it was very short due to the numerous fouls committed by both teams, although Argentine defender Leonel Galeano missed a shot for Melgar and River tried an immediate reply with striker Thiago Borbas, although no luck.

Towards the end of the first half, the visitors had other options at the feet of Walter Clar and Nicolás Sosa, while the locals brought danger through the Argentine Martín Pérez Guedes.

At the beginning of the second half, Melgar tried to replicate their attacking actions and had options from Alexis Arias and Luis Iberico, the latter with a header, although River also had a clear chance with a header from Nicolás Sosa that came off narrowly, at 56.

The Uruguayans pressed in the following minutes, with new arrivals from Santiago Brunelli, Marcos Montiel and Thiago Borbas, but towards the 70th minute Melgar reacted and resumed the offensive, with failed options by Iberico and Martín Pérez Guedes, the latter on two occasions.

However, when 78 minutes were played, Cuesta reappeared to score the second of his personal account and give the homeowners peace of mind with a low shot after receiving an assist from Pérez Guedes.

In the final minutes, River pressed with headers from Ricardo Chopitea and José Aja that went high, while Cuesta also tried to increase his account, but his shot on goal was wide.

On the third day of the Copa Sudamericana, Racing Club will visit Melgar and Cuiabá will host River Plate.

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