In a commanding performance at the Estadio Ciudad de Lanús – Néstor Díaz Pérez, Club Atlético Lanús kicked off their 2026 CONMEBOL Copa Sudamericana group-stage campaign with a resolute 2-0 victory over Peruvian side Cienciano. The Argentine outfit controlled proceedings from start to finish, showcasing the depth and tactical discipline that has made them a perennial contender in South America’s second-tier club competition.

Match Overview

Played on the evening of 23 July 2026, the match saw Lanús dominate possession and create the clearer chances. Cienciano, known for their defensive organization and counter-attacking threat, were largely restricted to speculative efforts from distance. The home side’s pressing game and quick transitions proved too much for the visitors, who struggled to retain the ball in midfield.

Key Moments

• 12th minute: Lanús opened the scoring through a well-worked set piece. A short corner found left-back Julio Soler, whose looping cross was met by the head of Franco Troyansky at the far post, nodding past goalkeeper Daniel Ferreyra.
• 38th minute: Cienciano’s best chance of the first half came when striker Kevin Quevedo turned sharply on the edge of the box but fired his shot straight at Lanús keeper Lucas Acosta.
• 56th minute: Lanús doubled the lead after a flowing counter-attack. Midfielder Tomás Belmonte split the Cienciano defense with a through ball to Pedro de la Vega, who calmly slotted home from 12 yards.
• 74th minute: Cienciano had a goal disallowed for a marginal offside after Mauro Guevgeozián turned in a cross, keeping the scoreline at 2-0.
• 88th minute: Lanús nearly added a third when Leandro Díaz hit the post from a tight angle after a sharp one-two with Troyansky.

Tactical Story

Lanús manager Frank Darío Kudelka employed a fluid 4‑3‑3 that shifted into a 4‑1‑4‑1 without the ball, suffocating Cienciano’s attempts to build through the middle. The Argentine side’s full-backs pushed high, forcing Cienciano’s wingers to track back, which limited the visitors’ outlet passes. Cienciano, under Oscar Ibáñez, set up in a compact 4‑4‑2 but lacked the pace to exploit the spaces left by Lanús’s advancing defenders. The Peruvian side’s midfield, anchored by José Manzaneda, was overrun in the second half as Lanús raised the tempo.

Standout Players

• Tomás Belmonte (Lanús): The engine room of the home side, Belmonte completed 89% of his passes, recorded two key passes, and provided the assist for the second goal. His reading of the game stifled Cienciano’s transitions.
• Franco Troyansky (Lanús): The experienced forward not only scored the opener but also led the press effectively, forcing errors in the Cienciano defense.
• Daniel Ferreyra (Cienciano): Despite the two goals conceded, Ferreyra made five saves, including a brilliant reflex stop from a Troyansky header in the 52nd minute, keeping the scoreline respectable.

Season Impact

With this victory, Lanús claimed three vital points in Group D of the Copa Sudamericana. The result places them level on points with Ecuador’s Universidad Católica at the top of the group, while Cienciano remain without a point after a hard‑fought opener. For Lanús, the clean sheet continues a strong defensive record at home in continental competitions – they have now kept four shutouts in their last six Sudamericana fixtures at La Fortaleza. Cienciano will need to regroup ahead of their next group match against Colombian side Deportes Tolima, knowing that any further slip‑ups could end their hopes of advancing to the knockout stage.

The match also highlighted the growing depth of the Argentine Primera División in the Copa Sudamericana, as Lanús joined fellow countrymen Defensa y Justicia and Boca Juniors in winning their opening group matches this week. For the Peruvian side, the focus now shifts to learning from this performance and finding solutions to unlock defenses that sit deep and counter with speed.