Alianza Lima were held to a 1-1 draw by Los Chankas in Andahuaylas, in the penultimate round of the Torneo Clausura de Liga 1 2026. Eryc Castillo gave the visitors the lead in the second half, but Kelvin Sánchez levelled for the hosts shortly after, and neither side could find a winner.
A goalless first half
The first 45 minutes were cagey and produced little in the way of clear chances. Alianza Lima came closest through Gentile, who had a chance to open the scoring but failed to finish after reaching the Los Chankas box. Girotti also had openings, though he could not control the ball when it mattered. At the other end, Díaz had to be alert to clear a dangerous ball in the heart of the Alianza area, and F. Torres saw a good opportunity go wide late in the half.
Castillo strikes, Sánchez responds
Alianza broke the deadlock early in the second half. In the 51st minute, Fernando Gaibor produced a superb assist, and Castillo drove his finish into the net to make it 1-0. It was the Ecuadorian forward’s 22nd goal of the year for the club.
The lead did not last. In the 59th minute, Los Chankas equalised after a series of defensive errors by Alianza, with Kelvin Sánchez getting on the end of the chances that followed. The goal put the home side back on level terms at 1-1.
Late penalty appeal
Los Chankas pushed for a winner in the closing stages. Their appeal for a penalty in the 84th minute, after the ball struck two Alianza players inside the area, was rejected on review, as replays showed both had kept their arms down. Ayarza, who had come off the bench, also looked to have a chance to complete a comeback from a corner in the 70th minute but failed to find the net, and Quevedo tested the Alianza defence late on without success.
In added time, the referee went to the VAR and decided there was no penalty for a challenge by Advíncula on Ayarza. The whole Los Chankas squad was unhappy with the decision, but the score remained 1-1.
Team news and standings
Alianza Lima were without Renzo Garcés, Jairo Vélez and Marco Huamán because of physical problems, and head coach Pablo Guede was unavailable due to a suspension arising from an altercation with Hernán Barcos. Alianza had already qualified for the final of Liga 1 2026 as winners of the Apertura, but the draw leaves them three points off the top of the Clausura table, which is currently shared by Sporting Cristal, Universitario and Sport Huancayo.
For Los Chankas, the point extends a difficult run: they have now gone three matches without a win in the Clausura. They sit with 47 points in the annual standings, level with other clubs in the race for a place in the 2027 Copa Sudamericana.
Source: www.infobae.com
