07:44 | Lima, Jan. 30 (ANDINA).
Peruvian giants Sporting Cristal came from behind to defeat Argentina's Estudiantes de La Plata 2-1 in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores preliminary match-up in Lima, Peru, on Thursday afternoon.
It was a highly disputed, edge-of-the-seat match played at a packed San Martin de Porres Stadium in Lima, Peru.
Estudiantes, who came into the match as the clear favourites, pushed forward in large numbers at the beginning, in an attempt to score an early goal.
After much pressure, Estudiantes finally broke the deadlock in the 20th minute when Enzo Perez took advantage of a lapse of concentration in the Sporting Cristal defense.
The Argentines continued at the attack, and came close to doubling their advantage after a nicely worked combination between Juan Sebastian Veron and Gaston Fernandez.
Despite their domination, Estudiantes didn't look secure at the back, and they paid dearly for this three minutes before the break when veteran midfielder Roberto Palacios equalized for Sporting, when he beat Mariano Andujar with a looping header.
In the 54th minute Colombian striker Hector Hurtado put the Peruvians ahead after a swift counterattack that began in the midfield.
Estudiantes tried their best to get back into the game, and they almost drew level in the 73rd minute, but Jose Luis Calderon's effort was ruled out for an out of play.
The return leg of the match-up with be played at the Estadio Cuidad de La Plata on the 4th of February.
(END) INT/EEP
Publicado: 30/1/2009