FC Cajamarca’s difficult start to the Peruvian Liga 1 season worsened on a frustrating evening as Atlético Grau produced a dominant display to win 3-1 in Cajamarca. The result handed the visitors maximum points and deepened the home side’s worries in the lower reaches of the table.

Match report

Atlético Grau took control early, opening the scoring in the 12th minute when striker Patricio Álvarez latched onto a through ball and finished calmly. Cajamarca responded with ambition and equalised midway through the first half through a well-taken set-piece header from Jimmy Pereda. However, that proved the high point for the home team as Grau assumed control before the break.

The visitors restored their lead just after the interval when Diego Soto curled in a free kick from the edge of the area. Grau sealed the win late on with a third goal from substitute Eduardo Barrientos, who broke through on the counter-attack to put the result beyond doubt.

Tactical story

Grau’s high pressing midfield, led by captain José Ruiz, disrupted Cajamarca’s build-up play throughout. The visitors dominated possession and registered over 60% of the ball, forcing the home side into long balls that rarely troubled a well-organised defensive line. Cajamarca, by contrast, struggled to string passes together and showed little creativity in the final third following their equaliser.

Key numbers

• Possession: Cajamarca 39% — Grau 61%
• Shots on target: Cajamarca 4 — Grau 7
• Corners: Cajamarca 3 — Grau 6

What it means

Atlético Grau climbed into mid-table with the win, while FC Cajamarca remain mired in the lower half of the Liga 1 standings, with their coach under mounting pressure to halt a run that has seen them take just one point from their last four home matches.