In a thrilling encounter at the Estadio Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, Alianza Lima secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Deportivo Garcilaso on April 14, 2025, continuing their strong performance in the Torneo Apertura 2025. The match, marked by physical play and a few key injuries, saw Paolo Guerrero emerge as the hero, scoring the decisive goal just after halftime.
The game began with a fierce intensity, as both teams battled for control. However, the match took a turn early on when Alianza Lima's Guillermo Enrique suffered an injury just eight minutes in, following a hard foul from Deportivo Garcilaso's Adrián Ugarriza. Enrique was forced to leave the field, replaced by Marco Huamán, raising concerns about the depth of Alianza's squad as they navigated the season.
Despite the early setback, Alianza Lima maintained their composure and continued to press forward. The first half was tightly contested, with both teams struggling to find clear scoring opportunities. The physical nature of the game led to several fouls, and the referee, Joel Alarcón, was frequently surrounded by players seeking clarity on contentious calls. As the halftime whistle blew, the score remained deadlocked at 0-0.
However, the second half brought a breakthrough for Alianza Lima. Just seven minutes after the restart, Paolo Guerrero, the seasoned striker known for his goal-scoring prowess, unleashed a powerful shot from distance that found the back of the net, putting Alianza ahead 1-0. The ball sailed past Deportivo Garcilaso's goalkeeper, Patrick Zubczuk, who managed to stretch but couldn't reach the shot in time.
Guerrero's goal not only secured the lead but also marked his eighth goal for Alianza Lima since joining the club, further solidifying his status as a key player in their campaign. Following the goal, Alianza Lima continued to press for a second, with opportunities falling to Erick Castillo and Gonzalo Aguirre. However, both players struggled with their finishing, failing to extend the lead despite having clear chances.
Deportivo Garcilaso, determined to find an equalizer, ramped up their attacking efforts in the closing stages of the match. They registered a total of 17 shots throughout the game, with five on target, yet struggled to convert these chances into goals. Alianza Lima's defense, led by Renzo Garcés, held firm under pressure, with Garcés clearing ten dangerous balls and ensuring that the team's lead remained intact.
As the match entered its final moments, the tension in the stadium heightened. In stoppage time, Deportivo Garcilaso came agonizingly close to equalizing when Lojas had a chance to score, but his shot was expertly deflected by Alianza's goalkeeper, Guillermo Viscarra. The home side's frustration grew as they were unable to find the back of the net despite their persistent efforts.
With the final whistle, Alianza Lima celebrated a hard-fought victory, boosting their points tally to 16 and moving them up to fourth place in the league standings. The win was particularly significant as it came after a morale-boosting 2-2 draw against Sao Paulo in the Copa Libertadores, where Alianza had shown resilience by coming back from a two-goal deficit. Coach Néstor Gorosito expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, stating, "We showed great determination and character, especially after losing a key player early in the match. Paolo's goal was a testament to his quality and experience, and we needed that today."
On the other hand, Deportivo Garcilaso, who had entered the match unbeaten in their previous seven games, will need to regroup quickly. Coach Guillermo Duró acknowledged the difficulties faced by his team, saying, "We created plenty of chances, but we just couldn't finish. We'll learn from this and come back stronger in our next match against Melgar." The defeat marked a stark contrast to their previous outing, where they had triumphed 3-0 over Sport Huancayo.
As both teams look ahead, Alianza Lima will face Los Chankas in their next fixture, while Deportivo Garcilaso aims to bounce back against Melgar. With the season still in its early stages, every point is crucial as teams vie for the top positions in the Torneo Apertura 2025.
