Sport Huancayo vs Arsenal Match Report
Arsenal de Sarandi gained entry into the group stage of the continental competition, after forcing a 1-1 draw with Sport Huancayo. The Argentine club had thrashed the Peruvians 3-0 in the first leg of the tie in Avellaneda last week.
Despite being outplayed for large periods in the 3,200-metre altitude, veteran striker Sergio Ibarra sent Sport Huancayo into the break with a slender lead after scoring on the stroke of half-time.
Motivated by the goal, the Peruvians pushed to the attack at every opportunity in the second half, but although they created numerous goal-scoring chances, they were continually kept out by Arsenal goalkeeper Cristian Campestrini, who made a number of good saves.
Ibarra was clearly the most dangerous of the Huancayo attackers, and he almost doubled his team's lead in the 81st minute, when his fine header hit the crossbar.
However, two minutes later substitute Luciano Leguizamon silenced the home crowd with Arsenal's late equaliser to send the Argentines into the following stage of the competition.
Arsenal will take place in Group 4 of the Copa Libertadores, along with fellow Argentines Boca Juniors, Fluminense of Brazil and Zamora of Venezuela.