The beginning and the end of the match stood out in the game in a game that ended up being a huge tribulation for the Uruguayan giants as they agonized to a 1-0 win against Colonel Bolognesi in Tacna. For Gerardo Pelusso it was a homecoming of sorts. He returns after leading Alianza Lima to the title back in 2006.
For Nacional they started out quick as as Bruno Fornaroli drove a Richard Morales cross into the back of the Bolognesi net in the ninth minute. After that, Pelusso did everything in his power to put the game in the freezer. Nacional fell back and decided to look for the counterattack, and would look for the spaces that Bolognesi left in their defensive lines. The home side The Peruvians were not capable of generating serious offense throughout the match. Their only serious threat on goal were the Ross penalties.
What was most dramatic occurred in the 84th minute when Junior Ross was ready to draw even, but Alexis Viera denied them. Referee Marco Antonio Rodríguez declared that Viera moved ahead of his line and the penalty was rekicked. In the science of penalty kicks, the striker knows that they are at a disadvantage now that they are behind the eight-ball. The pressure mounts, and for Junior Ross, the pressure boiled over. His second shot was a meek shot that cause little stress to Viera, making him an instant hero back in Montevideo.
For Nacional it was a vital win as a loss would have them in a precarious situation in Group 4 standings.
Colonel Bolognesi 0-1 Nacional
NAC: Fornaroli (9′)
- Other scores
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