Estudiantes de Mérida secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Academia de Anzoátegui in the fourth round of the Clausura phase of the Primera. The match, played on 15 August 2026, belonged to the home side who took all three points from a game that swung on a single moment of quality and a late dismissal. By then the visitors were down to ten men and had little to offer.
R. Ivey broke the deadlock in the 50th minute, the only goal of the contest. Estudiantes had created two big chances and pressed forward with purpose after the interval, while Academia struggled to find rhythm. The goal came in the second half, and it was enough to settle the matter.
Academia's problems deepened in the 84th minute when A. Vera received a red card. The visitors had already shown discipline earlier with two yellow cards before the break, but the sending-off changed the complexion of the game entirely. Estudiantes could camp in the final third from that point, and they did.
Estudiantes held 54% possession and registered 84 attacks compared to 70 for their opponents. They shot nine times off target and three on target, while Academia managed only one shot off target despite hitting the target three times. The visitors were more accurate but had fewer opportunities overall. Estudiantes completed 296 passes to 247 for the away side, and their 14 key passes told the story of who ran the show.
The result keeps Estudiantes fifth in the table on 32 points from 20 games, while Academia remain 13th with 13 points from 21 matches. The home side's recent form had been mixed, including a heavy 3-0 defeat to Rayo Zuliano, but this win restores some confidence. Academia's position suggests they need the points badly, and the red card will make the remaining fixtures all the harder.