Academia Anzoátegi beat Petare 2:1 in the Venezuelan Cup, Round 1, Group A on Wednesday evening. The result puts the hosts top of the table with four points from two games, while Petare sit third on one point. By then the visitors had already seen off Dynamo Puerto la Cruz but could not add to that statement win.
M. Morena opened the scoring in the 69th minute after a period of sustained pressure. Petare responded through E. Franco in the 83rd, catching the hosts on the break. The equaliser shifted the mood completely.
And here's the thing about these knockout games — momentum swings faster than anyone expects. L. Perez struck in the 87th to send Anzoátegi through. The late nature of the winner meant there was barely time for Petare to regroup.
The standings tell a simple story after two rounds. Anzoátegi have won once and drawn once, unbeaten so far. Petare's single point comes from that 2:2 draw at Anzoátegi's ground in August, a result they could not replicate at home.
To be fair, the visitors showed character in the second half. They just needed one more minute, or one less mistake. The bookmakers would have priced a tight affair, and this one delivered on that promise.