Cusco FC 1-2 Cienciano: Visitor strikes late to claim Copa de la Liga win

Cienciano produced a resilient second-half display to defeat Cusco FC 2-1 at the Estadio Inca Garcilaso de la Vega on June 29, 2026, in a tightly contested Copa de la Liga fixture. The match turned in the final quarter as the visitors overturned an early deficit to claim all three points.

Match overview

The game began with Cusco FC pressing high and looking to exploit home advantage. Their aggressive start paid off in the 22nd minute when a well-worked corner found an unmarked header at the far post to give the hosts a 1-0 lead. Cienciano, however, refused to fold and gradually grew into the contest.

Key moments

• 22' – Cusco FC goal: Home side takes the lead through a powerful header from a corner.
• 56' – Cienciano equaliser: A swift counter-attack saw the visitors slice through the Cusco defence as the striker slotted home from close range.
• 78' – Cienciano winner: A defensive lapse allowed Cienciano's winger to cut inside and fire a low shot past the goalkeeper, securing the victory.

Tactical story

Cusco FC dominated possession in the first hour, but Cienciano's deep defensive block frustrated their creativity. As the match wore on, the visitors' midfield press grew more effective, forcing turnovers and creating dangerous transitions. Cusco’s inability to recycle possession after the equaliser left gaps that Cienciano exploited ruthlessly.

Standout players

Cienciano's No. 10 was instrumental in the comeback, providing the assist for the equaliser before scoring the winner. On the losing side, Cusco FC's left-back impressed with overlapping runs but was often isolated in the attacking third.

Season impact

The win lifts Cienciano into mid-table in the Copa de la Liga standings, while Cusco FC remain in the lower half and will need to address defensive frailties ahead of their next fixture.