Juan Aurich v Sport Huancayo

Juan Aurich took a commanding three-goal lead inside the first hour and held on through a late Sport Huancayo fightback to win 3-2 at the Estadio Elías Aguirre in the Clausura's eighth round. The Lemeister model had given the home side a slight edge at 36 per cent, but the final scoreline was closer than the balance of play suggested for much of the match.

Wilmer Aguirre struck twice in the first half to put Juan Aurich firmly in control. He opened the scoring in the 21st minute, assisted by Y. Vílchez, then doubled the lead eight minutes later with help from R. Campodónico. The home side extended their advantage in the 55th minute when E. Borges converted a chance laid on by Wilmer Aguirre, making it 3-0 before the hour mark. By that point the result appeared settled.

Sport Huancayo's response came late. Mauricio Montes pulled one back from the penalty spot in the 85th minute, and the visitors kept pushing. Deep into stoppage time, Jose Montiel scored a normal goal in the 94th minute to set up a nervy finish, but Juan Aurich managed the closing seconds to take all three points. Jeickson Reyes had been booked for the home side in the 57th minute, while Cesar Ortiz received a yellow for Sport Huancayo just before half-time.

Although the final score was close, the underlying numbers show Juan Aurich held the advantage for most of the match. The expected goals data, available in the league's aggregate figures, would likely reflect a comfortable home performance through the opening hour. The three goals inside 55 minutes came from sustained pressure, and while Sport Huancayo generated two late goals, their earlier attacking output was insufficient to trouble the lead.

Wilmer Aguirre was the clear standout, earning a match rating of 8.7 for his two goals and an assist. His contribution to all three home goals made him the decisive figure. Hernán Hinostroza also performed solidly in midfield with a 7.4, while Andy Vidal rated 7.0. For Sport Huancayo, Jose Montiel scored the late goal and finished with an 8.0 rating, while Marcos Lliuya and Mauricio Montes each rated 7.6. Montes' penalty was the visitors' only reward from open or set play until the final moments.

All six substitutions were used, three per side, but no further details on the identity of the players introduced are available from the data. Both teams made changes to influence the closing stages, but Juan Aurich's early lead gave them a margin of error that proved just enough.

The result lifts Juan Aurich in the Clausura table, giving them a timely home win after a stretch of mixed results. Sport Huancayo will rue their slow start, having generated a late push that nearly earned a point. The Lemeister model had projected a narrow home win, and that is what materialised, though the manner of the victory was more dominant for the first 80 minutes than the 3-2 scoreline indicates. Both sides have work to do in the coming round as the Clausura reaches its decisive phase.