FBC Melgar 0-2 Cusco FC
Fuentes 31', Callejo 51'.
Sunday, 27 July 2025, 1 pm local time (6 pm UTC), Monumental Vírgen de Chapi Stadium, Arequipa, Peru, 2nd round of Clausura, Peruvian First Division (Liga 1).
Cusco FC starting line-up. Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page.
Cusco FC continue their winning streak in style, even when they face some of the best teams in the Peruvian Liga 1. They have now 5 wins in a row, and 11 matches unbeaten, and there are good chances for this record to be improved, because the next opponents (Deportivo Binacional, UTC Cajamarca, Alianza Atlético) are not too scary, taking into account that they have just won 2-0 over Alianza Lima in the first round of Clausura, and then again 2-0 over FBC Melgar (away!) in the second round of Clausura.
Even without Saravia (whose loan from Universitario finished earlier than expected) and Colitto (sidelined possibly due to injury), Cusco FC looked very strong in all departments, and the work of manager Miguel Rondelli has to be praised. FBC Melgar, one of the strongest teams in the league, looked like amateurs for most of the match, and their manager, Walter Ribonetto, was sacked not long after the final whistle.
Cusco FC maintained ball possession for a lot of time, passing the ball around, creating offensive opportunities, while the opponents basically watched without being able to steal the ball for minutes. However, the first goal came from a set piece. Ivan Colman crossed from the right side into the middle of the box, and Aldair Fuentes headed from close range into the goalkeeper, but the ball came back to him and was able to shoot it in: 0-1 (31').
The two goalscorers, Facundo Callejo (left) and Aldair Fuentes (right), celebrating after the first goal. Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page.
Melgar tried to come back in the game, but Cusco FC goalkeeper Pedro Díaz was again in exceptional form and denied them every opportunity.
The second half started very well for Cusco FC, which extended their lead. A high pressing into the opposite field, close to the box, led to Facundo Callejo stealing the ball from a defender right on the edge of the box, and then he entered the box and finished with a powerful shot: 0-2 (51').
Facundo Callejo (left) celebrated the second goal with his teammates, including one from the bench. Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page.
The match was not over, but FBC Melgar were unable to do anything, although they kept attacking, and even intensified their offensive towards the end of the game, to no avail. Cusco FC looked stronger than ever, while FBC Melgar seemed to be in a total crisis, especially in front of the goal.
Melgar: Cáceda - Lazo, Deneumostier (Ramos 70'), González, Cabanillas (Quagliata 56') - Orzán, Tandazo (Arias 77') - Bordacahar (Guzmán 70'), Martínez (Rodríguez 77'), Vidales - Cuesta. Manager: Walter Ribonetto.
Cusco: Díaz - Ruidías (Zevallos 75'), Fuentes, Gamarra, Ampuero - Valenzuela, Diez - Silva (Aucca 87'), Colman (Custodio 90'+2'), Da Silva (Milesi 75') - Callejo (Tévez 75'). Manager: Miguel Rondelli.
Referee: Bruno Pérez.
Yellow cards: Tandazo 40', Orzán 45'+3', Cuesta 45'+3'.
Cusco FC are now in second place in Clausura, but they are also in second place in the aggregate table, which would be enough for them to qualify for the play-offs. Given the recent results, Cusco FC has become a serious contender not just for the Clausura, but for the title as well.
Results, tables and fixtures:
Clausura
Round 1 (18-20 July 2025)
Alianza Atlético – Sport Huancayo 0-0
Deportivo Garcilaso – Los Chankas 3-0
Universitario de Deportes – Comerciantes Unidos 3-1
UTC Cajamarca – FBC Melgar 1-2
ADT Tarma – Cienciano 1-0
Cusco FC – Alianza Lima 2-0
Sporting Cristal – Alianza Universidad 3-0
Ayacucho FC – Atlético Grau 1-2
Juan Pablo II College – Sport Boys 3-0
Deportivo Binacional bye
Round 2 (25-27 July 2025)
Sport Huancayo – Juan Pablo II College 5-1
Deportivo Binacional – UTC Cajamarca 0-0
Alianza Universidad – Ayacucho FC 1-2
Sport Boys – Sporting Cristal 0-2
Cienciano – Universitario de Deportes 1-1
FBC Melgar – Cusco FC 0-2
Comerciantes Unidos – Deportivo Garcilaso 0-0
Alianza Lima – Alianza Atlético 1-1
Atlético Grau – ADT Tarma postponed, to be played on 31 August 2025
Los Chankas bye
Clausura table
|
1 |
Sporting Cristal |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
5-0 |
6 |
Qualified for the play-offs |
|
2 |
Cusco FC |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
4-0 |
6 |
|
|
3 |
Sport Huancayo |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
5-1 |
4 |
|
|
4 |
Deportivo Garcilaso |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
3-0 |
4 |
|
|
5 |
Universitario de Deportes |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
4-2 |
4 |
|
|
6 |
Atlético Grau |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2-1 |
3 |
|
|
7 |
ADT Tarma |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1-0 |
3 |
|
|
8 |
Ayacucho FC |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
3-3 |
3 |
|
|
9 |
Juan Pablo II College |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
4-5 |
3 |
|
|
10 |
FBC Melgar |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
2-3 |
3 |
|
|
11 |
Alianza Atlético |
2 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
1-1 |
2 |
|
|
12 |
Deportivo Binacional |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0-0 |
1 |
|
|
13 |
Cienciano |
2 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1-2 |
1 |
|
|
14 |
UTC Cajamarca |
2 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1-2 |
1 |
|
|
15 |
Alianza Lima |
2 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1-3 |
1 |
|
|
16 |
Comerciantes Unidos |
2 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1-3 |
1 |
|
|
17 |
Los Chankas |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0-3 |
0 |
|
|
18 |
Alianza Universidad |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1-5 |
0 |
|
|
19 |
Sport Boys |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0-5 |
0 |
|
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) goals scored; 4) fair-play (according to the number of red and yellow cards); 5) drawing of lots.
Round 3 (30 July – 1 August 2025)
Ayacucho FC – Sport Boys
Sporting Cristal – Sport Huancayo
ADT Tarma – Alianza Universidad
Cusco FC – Deportivo Binacional
Juan Pablo II College – Alianza Lima
Universitario de Deportes – Atlético Grau
Los Chankas – Comerciantes Unidos
Alianza Atlético – FBC Melgar
Deportivo Garcilaso – Cienciano
UTC Cajamarca bye
Aggregate table (Apertura + Clausura)
|
1 |
Universitario de Deportes |
20 |
13 |
4 |
3 |
42-14 |
43 |
Qualified for play-offs & CL |
|
2 |
Cusco FC |
20 |
12 |
4 |
4 |
38-20 |
40 |
Qualified for play-offs & CL |
|
3 |
Sporting Cristal |
20 |
12 |
2 |
6 |
36-24 |
38 |
Qualified for C. Libertadores |
|
4 |
Alianza Lima |
20 |
11 |
5 |
4 |
24-14 |
38 |
Qualified for C. Libertadores |
|
5 |
Alianza Atlético |
20 |
11 |
3 |
6 |
29-19 |
36 |
Qualified for C. Sudamericana |
|
6 |
FBC Melgar |
20 |
9 |
7 |
4 |
30-23 |
34 |
Qualified for C. Sudamericana |
|
7 |
Sport Huancayo |
20 |
10 |
4 |
6 |
28-22 |
34 |
Qualified for C. Sudamericana |
|
8 |
Deportivo Garcilaso |
20 |
9 |
4 |
7 |
31-19 |
31 |
Qualified for C. Sudamericana |
|
9 |
ADT Tarma |
19 |
7 |
6 |
6 |
25-30 |
27 |
|
|
10 |
Atlético Grau |
19 |
6 |
7 |
6 |
25-25 |
25 |
|
|
11 |
Cienciano |
20 |
5 |
9 |
6 |
30-27 |
24 |
|
|
12 |
Los Chankas |
19 |
5 |
8 |
6 |
24-28 |
23 |
|
|
13 |
Juan Pablo II College |
20 |
6 |
4 |
10 |
24-33 |
22 |
|
|
14 |
Sport Boys |
20 |
5 |
5 |
10 |
26-33 |
20 |
|
|
15 |
UTC Cajamarca |
20 |
5 |
5 |
10 |
18-36 |
20 |
|
|
16 |
Deportivo Binacional |
19 |
4 |
7 |
8 |
20-33 |
19 |
|
|
17 |
Ayacucho FC |
20 |
5 |
3 |
12 |
17-30 |
18 |
Relegation to Liga 2 |
|
18 |
Comerciantes Unidos |
20 |
2 |
6 |
12 |
18-34 |
12 |
Relegation to Liga 2 |
|
19 |
Alianza Universidad |
20 |
2 |
5 |
13 |
17-38 |
11 |
Relegation to Liga 2 |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) goals scored; 4) fair-play (according to the number of red and yellow cards); 5) drawing of lots
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