Carlos Mannucci came from behind to beat Universidad San Martin 2-1 in Peruvian Liga 2 on 25 October 2026, with a late winner sealing an important away victory in the promotion race. San Martin led early, but Mannucci’s second-half response was decisive, turning a difficult evening into three valuable points.

Match overview

Universidad San Martin started brightly and took the lead in the 18th minute through Jairo Vélez, who finished calmly after a quick move down the left. The home side controlled much of the first half, pressing high and forcing Mannucci into a series of rushed clearances. Mannucci stayed in the game, though, and their goalkeeper made two important saves to keep the deficit at one goal going into the break.

The second half was a different contest. Mannucci pushed their midfield higher and began to win more second balls. The equaliser arrived in the 52nd minute when Sebastián Gonzáles converted from close range after a goalmouth scramble. San Martin tried to respond, but Mannucci’s confidence grew, and the winner came in the 84th minute through Carlos Fernández, who latched onto a through ball and finished low past the goalkeeper.

Key moments

• 18’ — Jairo Vélez gives Universidad San Martin a 1-0 lead with a composed finish.
• 29’ — Mannucci’s goalkeeper makes a strong save to deny San Martin a second goal.
• 52’ — Sebastián Gonzáles equalises for Carlos Mannucci after a scramble in the box.
• 70’ — San Martin hit the side netting as they search for a second lead.
• 84’ — Carlos Fernández scores the winner for Mannucci with a low finish.

Tactical story

Universidad San Martin lined up in a 4-2-3-1 and looked to dominate through quick combinations in wide areas. Their early goal came from exactly that pattern, with the left side creating an overload and Vélez finding space in the box. For half an hour, the plan worked well, but San Martin failed to take their chances to extend the lead.

Carlos Mannucci adjusted after the break, switching to a more aggressive 4-3-3 and pressing higher up the pitch. The change disrupted San Martin’s rhythm and forced turnovers in dangerous areas. Mannucci’s equaliser came from sustained pressure, and their winner was a classic counter-attacking goal: a quick transition, a well-timed run, and a clinical finish. San Martin pushed for a late equaliser, but Mannucci defended their box with composure.

Standout performers

Gonzáles was central to Mannucci’s comeback, driving forward from midfield and scoring the crucial equaliser. Fernández’s match-winning goal capped a strong second-half performance, while the Mannucci goalkeeper’s first-half saves kept the team within reach. For San Martin, Vélez was the standout performer, but the home side will be disappointed with their inability to convert early dominance into a bigger lead.

Season impact and next steps

The win boosts Carlos Mannucci’s promotion push and gives them valuable momentum in a tightly contested Liga 2 campaign. Universidad San Martin remain in the fight but will need to be more ruthless in front of goal, especially when leading at home. Mannucci’s next challenge is to build on the comeback, while San Martin must regroup quickly before their next fixture.