The player, José Hugo De la Cruz Meza, was involved in a regional tournament game between two low-level local teams, C.D. Juventud Bellavista and U.D. Familia Chocca, in Huancayo, Peru, when lightning struck the field, the Peruvian newspaper La República and other local news media reported.

In a clip circulating on social media, Meza and four others were seemingly walking off the field when lightning struck. A brief spark was seen near one of the players and they immediately collapsed face-first during the televised game.