Alianza Lima clinches Apertura title early after 3–0 victory over Chankas. Alianza Lima secured the Apertura championship with a decisive 3–0 win over Chankas. The club reached 39 points, making them unattainable for their rivals. The decisive match took place at the Alejandro Villanueva Stadium.
Alianza Lima secured the Apertura championship title in the Peruvian league by confidently defeating Chankas 3-0 in the penultimate round. With this victory, the capital club reached 39 points and became unattainable for its closest pursuers, securing the lead with one match to spare. As reported by EFE, the team led by Argentine coach Pablo Guede achieved this success three years after their previous Apertura triumph.
The match at the Alejandro Villanueva stadium was controlled by the home team from the start. In the 12th minute, Jario Vélez opened the scoring with a precise left-footed shot after a pass from Eryc Castillo. Soon after, Castillo himself doubled the advantage, finishing off a corner play and going one-on-one with goalkeeper Hairo Camacho. This goal was Castillo’s 17th of the current season, placing him among the tournament’s top scorers.
In the second half, Chankas tried to change the course of the game but failed to convert several dangerous chances. The support from Alianza Lima fans did not waver, and in the 81st minute, defender Renzo Garcés scored the third goal, putting to rest any doubts about the winner of the match and the tournament.
Chankas, who before this round still had a chance to catch the leader, remained in second place with 33 points. In the final round, the team will host UTC, while Alianza Lima will play away against FC Cajamarca. However, the result of that match will no longer affect the final standings at the top of the table.
Alianza Lima's victory was one of the main sporting events of the weekend in Peru. Interest in Peruvian football has been growing in recent years, and the success of clubs on the domestic stage is often discussed even in the Spanish media. For comparison, Spain recently saw coverage of the presidential campaign at Real Madrid, where Enrique Riquelme officially submitted documents to participate in the election, which also sparked interest among fans and experts.
For reference: the Apertura tournament in Peru is traditionally considered the first part of the national championship and determines one of the main contenders for the overall title. Alianza Lima is one of the most decorated clubs in the country, and the Alejandro Villanueva stadium regularly sees sell-out crowds at key matches. According to EFE, the team has played this season with a minimal number of defeats, losing only to Universitario.
