Sporting Cristal vs Cerro Porteno

Sporting Cristal opened their Copa Libertadores 2026 campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Cerro Porteño at the Miguel Grau Stadium in Callao, a late goal sealing three vital points on Matchday 1 of Group F. The decisive moment came before halftime: Cecilio Domínguez was sent off in the 43rd minute after throwing the ball at Maxloren Castro's face — a VAR-reviewed act of aggression that left the visitors with ten men for the entire second half. Cristal dominated but found Cerro's stubborn defensive block hard to crack, until substitute Felipe Vizeu converted a precise cross from Yoshimar Yotún in the 82nd minute to finally break the deadlock. The result is a perfect start for new Sporting Cristal coach Zé Ricardo, putting the Lima side in pole position early in Group F. For Cerro Porteño, the red card drama and narrow defeat leave them already playing catch-up in the continental competition.