Alianza Lima delivered a dramatic turnaround at Estadio Alejandro Villanueva on Thursday morning, overcoming an early deficit to defeat Atlético Grau 2-1 and reignite their push in the Peruvian Primera División Clausura.

The match took shape with an energetic start from Atlético Grau. Their intent paid dividends almost immediately, as Neri Bandiera capitalized on a defensive lapse by Alianza Lima to break the deadlock in the 13th minute with a well-placed finish. The early goal stunned the home crowd and forced Alianza to chase the game in a high-tempo first half.

Despite Grau’s advantage, Alianza Lima gradually built rhythm and found increased momentum as halftime approached. Both sides battled fiercely in midfield, and although Grau held a slight edge in possession, Alianza’s attacking quality grew evident with each passing minute.

The turning point, however, arrived in a whirlwind second-half spell. Alan Cantero leveled the score in the 53rd minute for Alianza Lima, slotting home after a clever exchange with Paolo Guerrero. Just moments later, the stadium erupted as Josué Estrada fired Alianza into the lead with a clinical finish in the 55th minute, completing the comeback within the space of two minutes.

From that point onward, Alianza Lima asserted control, efficiently managing possession and shutting down Grau’s attempts to claw back. Substitutions bolstered their defensive line, with veteran Jefferson Farfán marshaling his teammates and initiating several key clearances in the closing stages.

Tensions flared as Grau pressed desperately for an equalizer, leading to several yellow cards and a late argument in added time between Ruidíaz and Gentile that underlined the match’s intensity. But Alianza’s resolve held firm, securing all three points in front of a raucous home crowd.

Key performances on the night included Josué Estrada’s decisive winner, Alan Cantero’s composed finish, and Paolo Guerrero’s orchestrating presence in attack. On the visitors’ side, Bandiera’s early strike and Vasquez’s tireless running kept Grau in contention until the final whistle.

Statistically, Grau edged possession but struggled to convert chances, while Alianza Lima’s pragmatic approach yielded a crucial victory. The result cements Alianza’s status among the Clausura frontrunners and deepens Atlético Grau’s struggles in mid-table.

This win could prove pivotal as Alianza Lima look to bridge the gap at the top and reaffirm their championship credentials. The Alejandro Villanueva faithful left in buoyant spirits, knowing that this comeback showcased both the squad’s depth and its capacity to rise under pressure.

For full highlights and tactical breakdowns, several Youtube recap videos captured both sets of goals and key defensive stops, providing fans with in-depth visual analysis of this eventful encounter.

Scorers:

• Alianza Lima: Alan Cantero (53'), Josué Estrada (55')
• Atlético Grau: Neri Bandiera (13')

Venue: Estadio Alejandro Villanueva, Lima, Peru Final Score: Alianza Lima 2 – 1 Atlético Grau