Marcelino Núñez scored the 1-0 of U. Católica vs. Sporting Cristal for Copa Libertadores | VIDEO

Shortly after the end of the first half, Marcelino Núñez surprised the sky-blue team and made it 1-0 for U. Católica vs. Sporting Cristal for Copa Libertadores.

A goal to frame by Marcelino Núñez, who hit a volley to the top corner from more than thirty meters in a ball that fell rained on him after a defender rejected the first intentional shot from outside the area by his teammate Leiva.

However, the joy of the crusaders, who are not going through a good moment of play and results, faded late in the second half when a mistake in the area from a corner allowed Cristal to equalize.

Yotún placed it at the near post, then Merlo got ahead of his rivals to brush it back and Nilson Loyola only had to push the net over the line, stuck to the far post.

The key play of the match occurred in the 91st minute when, coming out of a corner, the referee of the match, the Uruguayan Leodán González, perceived the hand of a Peruvian defender after a header in the area by the Argentine Nehuén Paz, who probably not only saved his team but also the head of his coach, the also criticized Cristian Paulucci.

The play, very unclear, sparked protests from the Peruvians, in particular from Nilson Loyola, who received a yellow card, but it was not reviewed since in the group stage, and without knowing why, there is no VAR. Zampedri took the ball and placed it powerfully in the top corner, where the goalkeeper could not reach, although he guessed his intention.