PSM Makassar edged Persebaya Surabaya 1-0 in Indonesian Liga 1 action on 22 October 2026, with a second-half goal settling a tense, tightly contested match at Gelora B.J. Habibie Stadium. The win gave PSM three valuable points in their pursuit of a strong league finish, while Persebaya were left to rue a night of possession without enough penetration in the final third.

Match Overview

The contest was framed as a classic Liga 1 test: PSM’s compact home structure against Persebaya’s patient, possession-based approach. Persebaya saw more of the ball through the opening hour, using Bruno Moreira and Malik Risaldi in wide areas to stretch the home back line, but PSM’s midfield screening kept the visitors from creating clear-cut chances. The decisive moment arrived after the break when Ricky Pratama found space inside the penalty area and finished calmly to make it 1-0.

From there, PSM dropped deeper and defended their lead with discipline. Persebaya pushed numbers forward late on, but the home side’s goalkeeper, Reza Arya Pratama, handled the increased pressure well and made the key save of the match in the closing stages. The result was not built on dominance, but on game management, concentration, and a well-taken goal.

Key Moments

• First half: Persebaya controlled possession but struggled to break through PSM’s two midfield lines. Their best openings came from wide deliveries, but the PSM centre-backs dealt with crosses comfortably.
• Second half: PSM raised their pressing intensity and were rewarded when Ricky Pratama scored the breakthrough goal from a quick attacking sequence.
• Late drama: Persebaya forced a series of corners and shots from distance, but Reza Arya Pratama preserved the clean sheet with a strong late save.

Tactical Story

PSM’s 4-2-3-1 shape was designed to stay compact between the lines and deny Persebaya central access. The home side were happy to concede territory, but they protected the penalty area well and looked to transition quickly through the channels. That approach paid off after the interval, when Persebaya’s full-backs pushed higher and left space behind for PSM’s counter-attacks.

Persebaya’s build-up was patient, but too often it ended in speculative crosses or hopeful shots from outside the box. The visitors needed sharper movement between PSM’s midfield and defence, and when that did not arrive, the home side grew more comfortable defending their advantage. PSM’s ability to slow the tempo and win second balls in midfield was a major factor in the result.

Standout Performers

Ricky Pratama will take the headlines for the winning goal, but PSM’s defensive unit deserved equal credit. Reza Arya Pratama produced the decisive late save, while the centre-back pairing handled Persebaya’s aerial threat and blocked several important shots. For Persebaya, Ernando Ari was largely solid in goal and Bruno Moreira remained the visitors’ most dangerous outlet, though neither could turn control into a goal.

League Impact

The three points strengthened PSM Makassar’s position in the Liga 1 standings and added another positive result to their home record. For Persebaya Surabaya, the defeat was a missed opportunity to climb the table and highlighted the need for more cutting edge in away matches. In a league where consistency across tight games often decides the final order, PSM’s ability to win without playing at their best could prove significant.

The result also adds another competitive chapter to the PSM Makassar vs Persebaya Surabaya head-to-head, with the Makassar side celebrating a narrow but well-earned home victory.