2-0: Melgar defeated Uruguayan River with Cuesta’s ‘double’

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

The red and black team’s victory goals were recorded by the Argentine striker Bernard Cuestaat 3 and 78 minutes.

In this way, Melgar was able to undo the 2-0 defeat they suffered on the first date of their visit to Brazilian Cuiabá, while River complicated their tournament options, as on the first day they lost at home to 0- 1 against Argentine Racing.

Melgar started at full speed and with the goal of overpowering his rival in a fast -paced 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 in the middle of goal, after receiving an assist from full-back Alejandro Ramos after a quick 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 right wide.

Since then, the intensity of the game has been maintained, but it has been very short due to multiple fouls committed by both teams, even as Argentine defender Leonel Galeano missed a shot for Melgar and River tried to respond immediately to the striker who Thiago Borbas, though unlucky.

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

At the start of the second half, Melgar tried to mimic their attacking actions and had options from Alexis Arias and Luis Iberico, the latter with a header, though River also had a clear chance with a header from Nicolás Sosa coming out narrowly, at 56.

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

However, when the 78th minute was played, Cuesta reappeared to score second on his personal account and gave the homeowners peace of mind in the low shot after receiving help from Pérez Guedes.

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

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