AREQUIPA, Peru — On a brisk night at Estadio Monumental Virgen de Chapi, FBC Melgar seized a vital three points in the Liga 1 Clausura with a convincing 2-0 victory over Cienciano, courtesy of clinical second-half finishes by Jhonny Vidales and Nicolás Quagliata.

After an evenly contested opening half marked by frenetic midfield battles and few clear sights of goal, it was Melgar who found a decisive second gear straight after the interval. The hosts’ breakthrough arrived just three minutes after the restart: a sweeping move down the left saw Luis Guzmán slip a precise ball into the area, where Jhonny Vidales arrived at the near post to convert smartly in the 48th minute, igniting the capacity Arequipa crowd.

Galvanized by the opener, Melgar continued to press and found reward midway through the half. In the 66th minute, Quagliata — who had been a persistent creative threat all evening — finished a flowing attack to double the lead. The Argentine midfielder combined with Vidales just outside the box, drifting into a pocket of space before curling a shot beyond the reach of Cienciano’s goalkeeper.

Cienciano, despite entering the match in solid form and contesting the midfield territory, struggled to carve out clear opportunities. Melgar’s defensive ranks, marshaled by Pier Barrios, kept the visitors’ main attacking threats in check for much of the contest.

The match’s key moments included:

• Vidales’ opener in the 48th minute after a sharp exchange with Guzmán.
• Quagliata’s decisive second in the 66th, created by intricate interplay with Vidales.
• A handful of yellow cards and tactical fouls from both teams — a reflection of the fierce but fair nature of this rivalry.
• Substitutions in the final 15 minutes as Melgar sought to consolidate their lead and Cienciano searched for a late spark.

For Melgar, the win consolidates their position in the upper half of the Clausura standings and extends their unbeaten run at home. Vidales and Quagliata’s performances, full of industry and attacking flair, sent a message to the rest of the league: Melgar remains formidable on Arequipa soil.

Cienciano, meanwhile, will rue their failure to create chances in key moments as they leave Arequipa empty-handed, still seeking their first win in several matches.