Sporting Cristal secured a 1-0 victory against Cerro Porteño in their Copa Libertadores group stage opener, capitalizing on a red card to Paraguayan forward Cecilio Domínguez.
The Peruvian side utilized their numerical advantage to control the match and claim three points in Group F, while the other group fixture between Palmeiras and Junior ended in a 1-1 draw.
The match took a dramatic turn in the 39th minute when Domínguez was sent off after an incident involving a throw-in.
According to reports from BioBioChile, Domínguez launched the ball directly at opponent Castro's face while preparing for a lateral play.
Referee Darío Herrera reviewed the incident via VAR before issuing a straight red card to the Cerro Porteño player.
Vizeu clinches victory
The match remained deadlocked until the 82nd minute when Brazilian striker Felipe Vizeu found the back of the net.
Vizeu, who entered the game during the second half, converted a precise shot following a cross from Yoshimar Yotuna.
The defeat marks a difficult start for Argentine manager Ariel Holan, who made his debut with Cerro Porteño during the contest.
Holan, formerly of Universidad Católica, saw his tactical plans disrupted early in the game due to the dismissal of Domínguez.
