Melgar took three points from Estadio Los Chankas, beating Cultural Los Chankas 3-0 in the fifth round of the Clausura. The visitors were clinical despite the home side holding the ball. It was a performance built on efficiency rather than territory.
Cultural looked dangerous early on. L. Pretel scored an own goal in the 27th minute to give the hosts a lead, but Melgar responded quickly. Bernardo Cuesta equalised in the 36th, and the goal was confirmed by VAR in the 39th. Christian Bordacahar made it 2-0 in the 59th.
To be fair, the match statistics showed a strange dynamic. Cultural Los Chankas enjoyed 58% possession and launched 126 attacks, yet they managed only three shots on target. Melgar, with 42% possession and 67 attacks, were more efficient. They created one big chance compared to the hosts' zero.
Matías Zegarra received a yellow card in the 58th minute. Cultural made four changes in the 65th minute as they chased the game, bringing on J. Vidales, A. Quintana and K. Sanchez. Melgar also reshuffled, with B. Cuesta coming off in the 83rd minute.
The result leaves Melgar in fourth place with 42 points, while Cultural Los Chankas sit sixth on 41 points. Both sides have played 25 matches. By then, the visitors had done enough to secure the win. The victory keeps Melgar close to the top spots.