In a match that had fans on the edge of their seats at Estadio Alejandro Villanueva, Alianza Lima pulled off a stunning 2-1 win over Atlético Grau on Wednesday night, marking the 12th date of the 2025 Torneo Clausura. The game, played under the lights in Lima, showcased the home side's grit as they overturned an early deficit in a whirlwind of action.
Atlético Grau struck first, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to take the lead midway through the first half. But Alianza, ever resilient, refused to buckle. Indeed, the turning point came in the dying minutes when Alan Cantero leveled the score with a sharp finish, followed almost immediately by Josué Estrada's winner—a sequence that unfolded in just three breathless minutes. It was the kind of comeback that defines Peruvian football's unpredictability, leaving Grau's players stunned and their supporters silent.
The victory boosts Alianza Lima to 18 points in the Clausura standings, a crucial lift after a season plagued by inconsistencies. Coach Guillermo Sanguinetti's tactics paid off, with the midfield holding firm against Grau's counterattacks. However, questions linger about the defense; that early goal exposed familiar vulnerabilities. For Grau, it's another setback in a campaign that's seen them struggle away from home, their possession game not quite translating to points.
Moreover, this result highlights Alianza's home strength—undefeated in recent outings at the Villanueva—but also the pressure mounting as the season progresses. Estrada's goal, his third in as many games, emerges as a bright spot amid the team's broader challenges. Still, with rivals closing in, every point feels like a battle won.
As the dust settles on this narrow triumph, one wonders how Alianza Lima can sustain such momentum in the unforgiving Liga 1 grind.