Alianza Atlético Sullana claimed a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Comerciantes Unidos in Peruvian Liga 1 action, turning a slow start into three valuable points in front of their home supporters. After falling behind early, the hosts responded with patience and pressure, equalising before the break and then finding the winner in the second half to close out a result that could matter a great deal when the season standings are finalised.

Match Overview

The fixture brought together two clubs with very different identities but a shared urgency. Alianza Atlético, the long-established side from Sullana in the Piura region, went into the match looking to protect their home record and climb the Liga 1 table. Comerciantes Unidos, the visitors from Cutervo in Cajamarca, arrived determined to frustrate a home side known for its fast starts and to steal something on the road.

• Competition: Peruvian Liga 1
• Match: Alianza Atlético Sullana vs Comerciantes Unidos
• Final score: Alianza Atlético Sullana 2-1 Comerciantes Unidos
• Kick-off: Late-night fixture under the lights
• Outcome: Home win, with all three goals coming from open play

The scoreline suggests a close contest, and that is exactly how it played out. Comerciantes Unidos were organised and disciplined for long stretches, but Alianza Atlético's willingness to keep pushing bodies forward ultimately tilted the match in their favour.

Key Moments

The opening 20 minutes belonged to the visitors. Comerciantes Unidos pressed high, closed down the home midfield quickly and forced Alianza Atlético into a series of hurried clearances. That early pressure paid off when Diego Arroyo struck first for the away side, finishing calmly after a quick transition caught the home defence out of shape. It was exactly the kind of away performance the coaching staff had asked for.

The response, however, was measured rather than panicked. Alianza Atlético began to circulate the ball more patiently through midfield, using the width of the pitch to stretch a compact defensive block. The equaliser arrived shortly before half-time, when Kevin Zevallos arrived late in the box and converted from close range to send the teams into the break level at 1-1.

The second half followed a similar pattern but with a different outcome. Alianza Atlético controlled possession, pushed their full-backs higher and pinned Comerciantes Unidos deeper and deeper. The decisive moment came just past the hour mark, when Marco Cornejo found space at the edge of the area and drilled a low effort beyond the goalkeeper to make it 2-1.

Comerciantes Unidos pushed for a late equaliser and had their moments from set pieces, but their task became harder when Jair Campos was shown a red card in the closing stages following a second booking. From there, Alianza Atlético managed the game professionally, slowing the tempo and seeing out the win.

Tactical Story

The match was a classic contest between a home side that wanted to dictate and a visiting team built to counter. Comerciantes Unidos defended in a mid-to-low block, inviting pressure and looking to spring forward through quick vertical passes. It worked beautifully for the first half hour, and their opening goal was a direct product of that plan.

Alianza Atlético's adjustment was the turning point. By pushing one midfielder higher and encouraging the wide players to stay narrow in the final third, they created overloads centrally and forced the visitors' defenders to make difficult choices. Once the equaliser went in, the momentum rarely shifted back.

Discipline also played a role. Alianza Atlético committed fewer fouls in dangerous areas in the second half, while Comerciantes Unidos grew increasingly frustrated, conceding free kicks in positions that allowed the hosts to keep the ball in the attacking half. The late red card was the clearest symptom of that frustration.

Standout Players

Kevin Zevallos was central to the comeback, not only for his goal but for the way he linked midfield and attack, repeatedly finding pockets of space between the lines. Marco Cornejo delivered the winning moment and stretched the visiting defence throughout the second half with intelligent movement.

For Comerciantes Unidos, Diego Arroyo was the brightest performer, taking his goal well and remaining a threat on the counter even as his team dropped deeper. Their goalkeeper also made several important saves that kept the deficit to a single goal and gave his side a chance to chase an equaliser late on.

What It Means for the Liga 1 Table

The three points lift Alianza