Sporting Cristal Keeps the Faith in the Libertadores
Sporting Cristal earned their first point in the 2025 Copa Libertadores group stage after a 2-2 draw against Cerro Porteño in Asunción. It was the official debut of Brazilian coach Paulo Autuori on the Celeste bench, who opted for a more balanced approach and managed to get his team through the pressure in a traditionally tough venue like La Nueva Olla.
Although the result doesn't lift the Peruvians from the bottom of Group G, it was a step forward in terms of attitude and performance compared to their previous matches. Palmeiras leads the group with a perfect record, followed by Cerro Porteño with 4 points. Bolívar remains at 3 after losing to the Brazilian giants.
A Roller Coaster Match, but Cristal Has the Last Word
The first half was a roller coaster of emotions. In the 37th minute, Argentine winger Santiago González surprised with a powerful shot to give Sporting Cristal the lead. However, the home team responded immediately. Just five minutes later, Cecilio Domínguez equalized with a great individual effort, igniting the home crowd.
The pressure didn’t stop, and before halftime, in the 44th minute, another Argentine, Federico Carrizo, capitalized on a precise assist from Domínguez to put Cerro Porteño ahead. At that point, the Paraguayan side looked firmly in control.
But in the second half, Autuori’s men tightened up defensively, withstood the pressure, and looked for counterattacks. Their persistence paid off when all seemed lost: in the 92nd minute, Peruvian defender Rafael Lutiger rose above everyone during a corner kick and headed in the equalizer, silencing the stadium.
What’s Next
With this result, Sporting Cristal stays alive in the tournament. Their next challenge will be on May 7th against Bolívar at the Estadio Nacional in Lima, while Cerro Porteño will host the powerful group leaders Palmeiras in a match that could shape the group’s destiny.
Despite not yet securing a win, the Lima side showed character, tactical improvement, and above all, kept their faith. And in a tournament like the Libertadores, that could make all the difference as the group stage nears its end.
