Juan Aurich began the Clausura campaign as marginal favourites according to the Lemeister model, which gave them a 35 per cent win probability, but it was UTC Cajamarca who delivered a more clinical performance to take a 2-1 victory at the Estadio Elías Aguirre. The decisive factor was efficiency in front of goal: UTC had 18 total shots and 10 on target compared to Juan Aurich's 15 and 3, and they converted two of their high-quality chances while the home side managed only one. The eight saves forced from the Juan Aurich goalkeeper told the story of a team that created but could not finish, whereas UTC punished their hosts with a penalty that proved decisive.
The opening goal arrived in the 25th minute when J. Villamarín finished a move started by J. Vergara, giving UTC an early lead that reflected their superior shot volume in the opening period. Juan Aurich responded well and found an equaliser in the 38th minute, with J. Archimbaud scoring from an assist by Elsar Rodas to restore parity before half-time. The balance of play was fairly even in terms of territory, but the underlying numbers favoured the visitors: they had 11 shots from inside the box to Juan Aurich's seven, indicating they were creating the more dangerous opportunities.
The match turned decisively in the 72nd minute when D. Millán converted a penalty to put UTC ahead for the second time. That goal proved to be the winner, and the discipline of Juan Aurich unravelled as they chased the game. They finished with three yellow cards and a red card for Jeickson Reyes in the 85th minute, reducing them to ten men for the closing stages. UTC, by contrast, received only one yellow card for Donald Millán in the 37th minute and kept their composure.
Possession statistics showed Juan Aurich dominating with 57 per cent, completing 225 of 302 passes at a 75 per cent accuracy rate, while UTC had 43 per cent possession and 222 passes at 69 per cent accuracy. The home side controlled the tempo but struggled to turn that into clear-cut chances, managing only three shots on target. UTC's high shot count and ten efforts on goal demonstrated a more direct approach that created consistent pressure on the Juan Aurich defence.
The highest-rated player on the pitch was Juan Pablo Vergara with a 7.9 rating, underlining his influence in the build-up to the first goal and his general contribution to UTC's attacking output. Gino Guerrero earned a 7.8 and Donald Millán a 7.6 for his penalty and overall work. For the home side, Jesus Cisneros was their standout performer with a 7.7, while Elsar Rodas received a 7.4 for his assist on the equaliser. Roberto Villamarín completed the top six ratings with a 7.3 for UTC.
The result gives UTC Cajamarca an ideal start to the Clausura, collecting three points on the road against a side the Lemeister model had installed as narrow favourites. Juan Aurich will rue their inability to convert possession dominance into goals, and the red card to Jeickson Reyes compounds the disappointment. For UTC, the clinical edge shown in front of goal and the defensive resilience to hold out with ten men for the final minutes suggests they intend to be competitive in this second phase of the season.
