Molinos El Pirata 3-2 Dep. San Martín: Thrilling Comeback Seals Victory in Peruvian Liga 2

Match Date: July 21, 2026
Venue: Estadio Municipal de la Juventud, Chongoyape

Molinos El Pirata produced a stunning second-half fightback to defeat Dep. San Martín 3-2 in a pulsating Peruvian Liga 2 encounter. The home side overturned a two-goal deficit to claim all three points and keep their promotion hopes firmly alive.

Match Overview

Dep. San Martín arrived with confidence, having won three of their last five away matches, and they started the brighter of the two sides. The visitors struck twice inside the opening 25 minutes through a well-worked set piece and a clinical counter‑attack, leaving the Molinos El Pirata faithful stunned.

However, the home side showed remarkable resilience. Before half‑time, a stunning free‑kick from captain Jorge Ríos halved the deficit, giving the team a lifeline. The second half belonged entirely to Molinos El Pirata, who pressed high and exploited gaps in the San Martín defence. Two goals in a five‑minute spell midway through the half completed the turnaround – first a header from striker Luis Chávez, then a composed finish from substitute Carlos Vásquez.

Key Moments

• 12th min: Dep. San Martín take the lead – a corner is flicked on at the near post, and defender Mauricio López nods home from close range.
• 25th min: San Martín double their advantage – a swift break down the right flank ends with winger Ángel Rojas slotting past the goalkeeper.
• 40th min: Molinos El Pirata pull one back – Jorge Ríos curls a free‑kick over the wall and into the top corner.
• 61st min: Equaliser! A pinpoint cross from the left finds Luis Chávez, who powers a header into the net.
• 66th min: The comeback is complete – Carlos Vásquez latches onto a through ball and finishes calmly under pressure.

Tactical Story

Molinos El Pirata’s decision to switch from a 4‑4‑2 to a more aggressive 4‑3‑3 after the break proved decisive. They overran the San Martín midfield, with the trio of Miguel Torres, Pedro Silva, and Jorge Ríos dominating possession and creating overloads. Dep. San Martín, by contrast, dropped deeper and deeper, unable to cope with the relentless pressure.

Standout Players

• Jorge Ríos (Molinos El Pirata): The captain’s free‑kick sparked the comeback, and his leadership in midfield was vital.
• Carlos Vásquez (Molinos El Pirata): The substitute changed the game with his pace and decisive finish.
• Ángel Rojas (Dep. San Martín): Scored a fine solo goal but faded in the second half.

Table Impact

With this victory, Molinos El Pirata move up to fourth in the Peruvian Liga 2 standings, now just two points behind the promotion playoff places. Dep. San Martín remain in mid‑table, their hopes of challenging for the title dealt a significant blow.

The home fans will remember this night for a long time – a true example of never‑say‑die spirit in the heat of a promotion battle.