The last minutes in Matute were full of tension. Beto Da Silva’s entry onto the field triggered a different move, one that could define everything. The striker controlled the ball, beat Carlos Zambrano and, while Ángelo Campos was on the ground, placed the ball on the goalkeeper’s crossbar, but the latter only hit the post. The frustrated complaint of intimate fans suggested that nothing and no one would be able to change the score in La Victoria, and so it was.
Alianza Lima failed to take advantage of its home status, adding just one point with a goalless draw against Melgar in one of the most attractive games of the Clausura tournament. And the Familiars needed to add three to stay in contention for the competition title. For their part, the red-blacks needed a win to stay at the top, which they lost for a few hours after the “U” scored three points against the U. César Vallejo in Trujillo.
The game was even and went back and forth. In the first half, just three minutes later, Cristian Bordacahar almost surprised with a long-range shot that went just wide of the goal. While Aldair Rodríguez faked a fake in the penalty area in the 10th minute, he had the opportunity to pass to Barcos, but chose to end his move and finished smoothly into the hands of Cáceda. From then on, both defenses were solid. The game was played in all areas of the field and it continued like that until halftime.
In the second half, in the 56th minute, Lagos failed to close on its side, the ball reached Tomás Martínez, who was thrown out of the field but shot over the opponent’s goal. In the 68th minute, the Pirate had a great chance with a header, although he didn’t give the ball the right direction. The Argentine striker headed in a great but impressive way in the 79th minute. Cáceda saved with a changed hand.
In the next round, FBC Melgar must beat Carlos A. Mannucci at home. For their part, Alianza Lima will travel to Juliaca to face Deportivo Binacional.