Deportivo Tachira edged past Estudiantes Merida FC with a narrow 1-0 victory in a Venezuela Primera Division derby match on March 23, 2026, at the Polideportivo de Pueblo Nuevo. The solitary goal was enough to secure all three points for the home side in a tightly contested encounter that was decided by a moment of individual quality. The match's decisive moment arrived just after the hour mark, when a Tachira winger cut inside from the left flank and unleashed a powerful right-footed drive that flew into the far corner, leaving the Merida goalkeeper with no chance. Prior to that, the game had been an even affair, with Merida defending resolutely and looking dangerous on the counter-attack. The key incident came late in the game when Merida thought they had equalized, only for the goal to be disallowed for a marginal offside call after a VAR review, sparking controversy among the visiting players and staff. The standout performance was from the Tachira goalscorer, who was a constant threat, while the home team's central defender was immense in repelling Merida's late attacks. This hard-fought win strengthens Tachira's position near the top of the table, while Merida will feel unlucky not to have taken a point. The Tachira manager praised his team's patience, and the Merida coach pointed to the disallowed goal as a pivotal moment. Tachira's starting lineup featured their typical attacking 4-3-3 formation.