CUSCO, Peru — In a performance that blended clinical finishing with midfield dominance, Cusco FC delivered a statement victory over local rivals Deportivo Garcilaso, winning 4-0 in a Peruvian Liga 1 Clausura clash early Wednesday morning at Estadio Inca Garcilaso de la Vega. The result not only underlined Cusco’s credentials as genuine title contenders but also exposed Garcilaso’s defensive frailties in a match where the hosts’ attacking verve proved irresistible.

Early Dominance and Colitto’s Opener

The derby atmosphere was electric from the opening whistle, but it was Cusco who quickly seized control. The breakthrough came in the 14th minute, when left winger Lucas Colitto finished a sweeping team move with a composed, first-time strike. The goal—a YouTube-worthy highlight—was the product of incisive buildup play, culminating in a perfectly weighted pass from playmaker Iván Colman that sliced through Garcilaso’s backline. Colitto’s finish, low and across the goalkeeper, was a textbook example of composure under pressure, and the celebrations that followed signaled both relief and belief among the home faithful.

Aucca’s Brace Seals the Deal

If the first goal set the tempo, Miguel Aucca’s second-half brace put the result beyond doubt. In the 55th minute, Aucca capitalized on a defensive miscue, showing sharp instincts to poke home from close range. Just 11 minutes later, he struck again, this time with a powerful header from a set piece, exposing Garcilaso’s vulnerability in the air. Aucca’s double not only highlighted his growing influence in Cusco’s attack but also underscored Garcilaso’s inability to cope with sustained pressure.

Own Goal Caps Off a Night to Forget

The misery for the visitors was compounded in the 88th minute when defender Jefferson Portales inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, a fittingly chaotic end to a match where Garcilaso’s defensive organization repeatedly faltered. Cusco’s relentless pressing and fluid interchanges had Garcilaso chasing shadows for much of the contest, and the own goal was a cruel but deserved punctuation mark on a dominant display.

Key Performances and Tactical Notes

While the scoreline tells a story of attacking prowess, Cusco’s midfield trio of Colman, Fuentes, and Valenzuela dictated the tempo, recycling possession and launching quick transitions. Colman, in particular, was the architect of Cusco’s best moves, his vision and passing range unlocking Garcilaso’s defense time and again. Defensively, Cusco remained compact, denying Garcilaso any clear-cut chances and ensuring goalkeeper Díaz enjoyed a quiet evening.

For Garcilaso, this was a sobering reality check. Despite their solid league position, they were outclassed in every department—lacking the intensity, creativity, and defensive solidity required to challenge the division’s elite.

Broader Implications

With this victory, Cusco FC leapfrogs into second place, just two points behind leaders Universitario, and sends a clear message to the rest of the league: they are genuine contenders for the Clausura title. The emphatic nature of the win, especially in a high-stakes derby, will resonate beyond the Andes, as Cusco’s blend of youthful energy and tactical maturity continues to impress.

Deportivo Garcilaso, meanwhile, must regroup quickly. While their overall season remains respectable, such comprehensive defeats threaten to derail their ambitions of breaking into the upper echelon of Peruvian football.

In summary, this was not just a win for Cusco FC—it was a declaration of intent, wrapped in the spectacle of derby-day dominance and captured vividly in the YouTube highlights that will define this clash for years to come.