In a thrilling encounter at the Estadio La Nueva Olla in Asunción, Paraguay, Sporting Cristal managed to secure a vital draw against Cerro Porteño, finishing 2-2 in the third round of the Copa Libertadores 2025. The match was a must-win for Cristal, who had entered the game without a point from their first two matches in the group stage. With Paulo Autuori making his return to the Libertadores after 23 years, the stakes were high for the Peruvian side.
The action kicked off dramatically, with Santiago González putting Sporting Cristal ahead in the 37th minute with a stunning strike from outside the box. The joy was short-lived, however, as Cerro Porteño responded just five minutes later. Cecilio Domínguez leveled the score, and before Cristal could regroup, Federico Carrizo struck again for the hosts in the 44th minute, giving Cerro a 2-1 lead at halftime.
Despite the setback, Sporting Cristal came out for the second half determined to fight back. The team, buoyed by the performance of goalkeeper Diego Enríquez, who made several crucial saves throughout the match, kept pushing for an equalizer. Enríquez’s heroics prevented Cerro from extending their lead, as he denied multiple attempts from the Paraguayan side.
As the clock wound down, it seemed that Cristal's hopes of salvaging a point were fading. However, in a dramatic turn of events, Rafael Lutiger scored in the dying moments of the match, finding the net in the 92nd minute to secure a hard-fought draw for Cristal. Lutiger’s goal came from a well-placed cross, marking a significant moment for the young defender and the entire team.
This draw earned Sporting Cristal their first point in the tournament, moving them from the bottom of Group G, where they now sit with one point. The group is currently led by Palmeiras with 9 points, followed by Cerro Porteño with 4 points, and Bolívar with 3 points.
After the match, Autuori expressed pride in his team’s resilience, stating, "We showed character and determination to come back and earn this point. It’s a step in the right direction for us as we look to build on this performance moving forward." The coach's optimism is shared by the players, who are now looking ahead to their upcoming fixtures.
Looking forward, Sporting Cristal will host Bolívar on May 7, 2025, in their next Copa Libertadores match, followed by a rematch against Cerro Porteño on May 13. The team is determined to capitalize on the momentum gained from this draw and aim for victories that could see them advance in the tournament.
Meanwhile, Cerro Porteño will face Palmeiras on the same date, looking to solidify their position in the group and keep pace with the leaders. The group stage of the Copa Libertadores is proving to be highly competitive, and every point counts as teams vie for a place in the knockout rounds.
In summary, Sporting Cristal's 2-2 draw against Cerro Porteño was a testament to their fighting spirit and determination. With Paulo Autuori at the helm, the team is poised to make a push for the next stages of the tournament, and fans will be eager to see how they perform in the upcoming matches.
