Alianza Lima will visit FBC Melgar at the Estadio Monumental de la UNSA in Arequipa on Sunday for a top of the table clash in the Peruvian Liga 1 Torneo Clausura.
The matchday six fixture pits the top two title contenders against each other, with kickoff scheduled for 3:30 p.m. local Peruvian time on Sunday, August 23, 2026.
Alianza Lima enter the match as the sole remaining undefeated team in the 2026 Torneo Clausura, holding first place in the standings with 11 points from five matches under head coach Pablo Guede.
Melgar sit third in the table with 10 points, trailing Alianza Lima by just one point. A victory on their home pitch would allow the host side to overtake the leaders at the summit of the Peruvian top flight.
Title stakes in Arequipa
The fixture in Arequipa features a squad led by veteran striker Paolo Guerrero against a Melgar side managed by Miguel Ángel Rondelli. Both teams have earned three victories from their opening five league fixtures of the short tournament.
Founded in 1901, Alianza Lima are one of Peru's traditional powerhouse clubs, based in the capital city of Lima and recognized by their iconic navy blue and white striped shirts. FBC Melgar, founded in 1915, represent the southern highland city of Arequipa, situated more than 2,300 meters above sea level, where visiting teams frequently face tough playing conditions at the Estadio Monumental de la UNSA.
The Peruvian Liga 1 season is split into two main national tournaments each calendar year, the Torneo Apertura and the Torneo Clausura, with eighteen professional clubs competing across the South American nation for the domestic championship.
Recent head to head record
Recent history between the two clubs shows a closely contested rivalry, though Melgar have frequently proven to be one of the most challenging opponents for Alianza Lima in domestic competition.
Across their previous five league meetings, Alianza Lima hold two victories compared to one for Melgar, alongside two drawn matches:
- Alianza Lima 3-1 Melgar (March 9, 2026)
- Alianza Lima 2-2 Melgar (October 31, 2025)
- Melgar 0-1 Alianza Lima (June 28, 2025)
- Alianza Lima 1-1 Melgar (September 28, 2024)
- Melgar 1-0 Alianza Lima (April 28, 2024)
Torneo Clausura standings
Heading into matchday six, five clubs remain within a single point of the league lead, making Sunday's result critical for the championship race. Sporting Cristal and FBC Melgar are tied on 10 points alongside Deportivo Garcilaso and Universitario.
The complete standings prior to matchday six are:
- 1. Alianza Lima: 11 points (5 matches played, 3 wins, +4 goal difference)
- 2. Sporting Cristal: 10 points (5 matches played, 3 wins, +5 goal difference)
- 3. FBC Melgar: 10 points (5 matches played, 3 wins, +4 goal difference)
- 4. Deportivo Garcilaso: 10 points (5 matches played, 4 wins, +3 goal difference)
- 5. Universitario: 10 points (5 matches played, 3 wins, +1 goal difference)
- 6. Cusco FC: 9 points (5 matches played, 3 wins, +5 goal difference)
- 7. Sport Boys: 8 points (5 matches played, 2 wins, +2 goal difference)
- 8. Sport Huancayo: 7 points (5 matches played, 2 wins, 0 goal difference)
- 9. Atlético Grau: 7 points (5 matches played, 2 wins, 0 goal difference)
- 10. Alianza Atlético: 7 points (5 matches played, 2 wins, -2 goal difference)
- 11. Los Chankas: 7 points (5 matches played, 2 wins, -3 goal difference)
- 12. Comerciantes Unidos: 5 points (5 matches played, 1 win, 0 goal difference)
- 13. Juan Pablo II: 5 points (5 matches played, 1 win, -2 goal difference)
- 14. FC Cajamarca: 4 points (5 matches played, 1 win, -2 goal difference)
- 15. Cienciano: 4 points (5 matches played, 1 win, -3 goal difference)
- 16. Moquegua: 4 points (5 matches played, 0 wins, -2 goal difference)
- 17. ADT: 2 points (5 matches played, 0 wins, -4 goal difference)
- 18. UTC: 2 points (5 matches played, 0 wins, -6 goal difference)
Broadcast and coverage details
Football fans in Peru can watch the match live on the L1 Max television channel, which holds broadcasting rights for Liga 1 matches. Additional live minute by minute online coverage will be provided by La República Deportes.
