Atlético Grau edged past FBK Melgar 1-0 at the Estadio Miguel Grau in the Clausura round seven of the Peruvian Primera División. D. Barreto's second-half strike proved enough to settle a match where the visitors dominated possession but could not break through. The result leaves the hosts in 13th place with 26 points, while Melgar remain fifth on 39.
Barreto found the net in the 69th minute, and here's the thing — it was the only moment that mattered. Atlético had already dropped L. Acevedo for A. Fernandez at the restart, and Melgar were pushing hard. The hosts made six changes across the break, bringing on P. de la Cruz and M. Da Luz together in the 66th minute, then added N. Cabanillas and K. Minda at 71. By then the score was settled, and Atlético simply saw the game out.
Melgar controlled the ball for 60 per cent of the match and managed 105 attacks compared to 76, but the pitch cut up badly under pressure. They created one big chance and registered nine shots on target, yet goalkeeper saves reached nine for Atlético Grau. The visitors had nothing to do all evening once Barreto's effort found the back of the net, and the stadium fell silent as the hosts ran out of legs to chase further goals.
The statistics tell a familiar story: many shots with one goal means chances went begging. Atlético completed 282 passes against 471 for Melgar, with 213 passes into opposition territory compared to just 83 from the hosts. Shots accuracy sat at 25 per cent for the winners against 43 per cent for the visitors, and neither side managed to convert their opportunities into more than a single goal.
Both teams picked up yellow cards — J. Escobar for Atlético in the 43rd minute, M. Da Luz at 59, and G. Ameli late on at 88. The result extends Atlético's unbeaten run in their recent fixtures, following draws against Sport Boys and Juan Pablo II before that 1-0 win over Comisiontunes Unidos. Melgar's loss interrupts a run that had included a 3-0 victory over Cultural Santa Rosa, though they still hold a 13-point gap over the hosts in the table.
