FBC Melgar and Alianza Lima played out a 1-1 draw in the Clausura round six of the Peruvian first division on Sunday. The result leaves the leaders still clear at the top while the hosts remain in fifth place, separated by thirteen points. By then, both sides had already shown the kind of uneven form that makes this season unpredictable.
Cristian Bordacahar gave the hosts the lead in the 33rd minute, and it looked like Melgar might hold on until Eryc Castillo cancelled things out just before half-time. The away side struck in the 45th minute plus two, a moment that shifted the momentum without changing the scoreline. And here's the thing — it was the kind of equaliser that leaves the attacking side frustrated rather than relieved.
There were bookings throughout, Esteban Pavez picking up the first caution in the 23rd minute before Walter Tandazo, Leonel González and Juan Escobar added to the disciplinary tally. Substitutions came thick and fast in the second half, with Jesús Castillo, Gaspar Gentile, Cristian Bordacahar, Eryc Castillo, Jairo Vélez, Walter Tandazo, Jhonny Vidales and Nelson Cabanillas all making appearances.
Melgar dominated possession at 53 per cent and completed 377 of their 452 passes, but they only created one big chance. Alianza Lima were more clinical with their shooting — eight shots on target against six — and converted their opportunities more efficiently. The hosts had 116 attacks to the visitors' 92, yet the statistics tell you nothing about who truly felt more dangerous.
The result means Alianza Lima extend their lead at the summit to thirteen points with two rounds remaining. Melgar stay in fifth and are now running out of games to make a real impact on the table. To be fair, neither side looked like they wanted more than a point, and that is probably why the match ended as it did.
