Alarcón and Martínez Fire Sport Boys Past Huancayo in Fiery Peruvian Liga 1 Showdown

In a match defined by drama and late tension, Sport Boys prevailed 2-1 over Sport Huancayo at Estadio Miguel Grau del Callao, snatching three vital points on home soil Sunday in the Clausura’s 13th round. The result offers a much-needed boost for Guillermo Vasquez’s men, who have struggled for consistency in recent weeks.
Match Recap: Key Moments and Turning Points
Sport Boys set the tempo early despite ceding possession to Huancayo. In the 12th minute, midfielder Jostin Alarcón gave the pinks a dream start, clinically finishing off a crisp move orchestrated by Cristian Carbajal’s clever pass. The home side’s disciplined 4-5-1 shape allowed them to absorb pressure, limiting Huancayo’s attacking lanes throughout the opening half, even as the visitors saw more of the ball.
After halftime, Richard Pellejero’s Huancayo pressed forward, and their persistence paid off in the 67th minute. Javier Sanguinetti leveled the score, capitalizing on the visitors' sustained period of attack. With momentum shifting, Sport Boys required a response, and they found it in the 75th minute: Fernando Martínez, coming off the bench, latched onto Hernan Da Campo’s through ball and curled home the decisive strike past Ángel Zamudio, Huancayo’s keeper.
Statistical Snapshot
- Huancayo held 55% possession and recorded 16 shots (4 on target), compared to Sport Boys’ 45% and 11 attempts (also 4 on target). Both goalkeepers registered two saves as the match’s tempo escalated.
- Defensively, Huancayo’s aggression tipped into indiscipline, culminating in Hugo Ángeles’ straight red card during stoppage time (90+11’). The visitors finished with 13 fouls and three yellow cards, compared to the hosts’ eight fouls and two bookings, underscoring the game’s intensity and high stakes.
Broader Implications
For Sport Boys, this hard-fought victory temporarily lifts them from the lower reaches of the Clausura standings, injecting hope and belief as the campaign heads into its decisive phase. The composed performances from young talents like Alarcón and the impact of substitute Martínez will give Vasquez confidence in his squad’s depth.
Sport Huancayo, meanwhile, must regroup after squandering their numerical and territorial advantages. The late dismissal and a string of bookings will force tactical recalibration for their next fixture, with pressure mounting to secure a top-half finish.
Final Word
This contest had all the hallmarks of the Peruvian top flight: tactical nuance, individual brilliance, and late drama. Sport Boys, spurred on by their passionate Callao crowd, delivered a gritty and timely win over Huancayo—a result certain to echo through the league’s title and relegation battles in the weeks ahead.
Match highlights and recap are available via ESPN and other major sports coverage platforms with reputable followings.