🎥 Palmeiras go top after beating Cristal, place all but sealed?

🎥 Palmeiras go top after beating Cristal, place all but sealed?

Palmeiras took over the lead of Copa Libertadores Group F ahead of two straight home matches.

This time playing at Alejandro Villanueva Stadium in Lima, Verdão beat Sporting Cristal once again.

Flaco López and Sosa secured the 2-0 win on Tuesday night (5).

Watch the highlights soon.

Flaco delivers in a lively first half

Sporting Cristal did not just sit back and wait for Palmeiras.

They went after Abel’s team, making the game "dangerous."

Verdão gradually grew into the match as the minutes went by.

Mainly thanks to Allan and Arias.

Enríquez was making the difference for Brazilian coach Zé Ricardo’s side.

But there was no stopping Flaco López’s fine goal after the Colombian’s cross (32').

Carlos Miguel had to make saves, as Palmeiras struggled with the large number of crosses.

Arias had a great chance to extend the lead before halftime, but failed to take it.

The rival tries, but Verdão punishes

Sporting Cristal had no other option: they needed to go for at least a point in their final home game.

But they ended up helping the clinical Palmeiras increase the lead.

The well-worked counterattack should have been cut out by Lutiger.

Instead, he gave an "assist" to Sosa to make it 2-0 (50').

Persistent, the home side saw Carlos Miguel become their nemesis twice.

And they were unable even to pull one back.

Palmeiras did not play a solid game. But they showed the quality to score twice and put themselves in a good position in the Libertadores.

📊 Standings and schedule 📅

Sporting Cristal stayed on six points and now have to hope Cerro Porteño (four) slip up when they visit Junior (one) on Thursday (7).

The Peruvian side will close out their group-stage campaign with two away matches: Junior (20/5) and Cerro (28/5).

Verdão, meanwhile, moved up to seven points. And they will also be watching that already-mentioned clash closely.