Universitario 1 – Gimnasia y Esgrima 0 match recap: KO Stages Bound!

Universitario 1 – Gimnasia y Esgrima 0 match recap: KO Stages Bound!

Universitario clinches a spot to the Copa Sudamericana Knockout Stages with a 1-0 win over Gimnasia. Both clubs (and the other 2 of Group G) had to win in order to contend for the Sudamericana and it was all drama. Goias managed to win 1-2 on the road vs Santa Fe in Bogota, ending the Colombian’s chances to win another Copa Sudamericana. That result plus Universitario’s 1-0 win easily puts the Crema’s to the Sudamericana KO Stages.

Universitario started the match attacking and had a terrific opportunity until when Emmanuel Herrera missed the open net shot, going wide left. Gimnasia also attacked well early in the 1st half with two goals being annulled for handball and offsides respectively. Piero Quispe opened scoring in the 40th minute with a long shot goal. Alfonso Barco had a good opportunity to extend the lead at the end of the half only to not give any effort.

The 2nd half was a quiet half for both sides. Gimnasia barely made any chances while Universitario made chances at the very end. Both Marco Saravia & Horacio Calcaterra had near misses to seal the match completely. Gimnasia had 2 red cards in the 71st & 90+8 minutes respectively for fouls. Universitario sealed the 1-0 hard fought win at home in front of the sold out Estadio MonUmental.

Immediately following the match, Gimnasia defender Leandro Sandro Morales used a racial slur against Andy Polo and started a brawl that ended up with 6 more red cards for Gimnasia & 2 red cards for the (U). The 2 reds for Universitario are Jose Carvallo & Roberto Siucho for their roles in the brawl. The racial abuse incident caused by Gimnasia is now under investigation by CONMEBOL.

Universitario secured their spot in the KO stages of the Sudamericana and now await their opponent. Next match will be on Monday night July 3 vs Alianza Atletico Sullana at the MonUmental.