Overview
- Universitario beat Alianza Lima 1-0 on Sunday at the Monumental, with Martín Pérez Guedes scoring the winner to trim the gap to two points.
- Javier Rabanal said the plan was to stay patient against a rival he felt came to defend, and he stressed his job was never in doubt.
- Alianza coach Pablo Guede admitted “these games must be won,” while captain Paolo Guerrero voiced anger and said Universitario leaned on long balls.
- Elsewhere in Peru, Sporting Cristal presented Brazilian coach Zé Ricardo on a contract through December 2027 after a 2-1 home loss to CD Moquegua, drawing scrutiny because his prior stints have often lasted about five months.
- In Mexico, Pachuca beat Cruz Azul 2-1 at the Cuauhtémoc after an early Andrés Gudiño mistake and a Robert Kenedy brace, and Leones Negros upset Atlético Morelia 2-0 on coach Mario Ortiz’s return from a six-game suspension.