Melgar 4-0 Deportivo Moquegua: Match Report & Goals

AREQUIPA, Peru – Melgar delivered a dominant performance on February 15, 2026, dismantling Deportivo Moquegua 4-0 in a commanding display of Liga1 de Perú Apertura action at the Estadio Monumental de la UNSA. The victory solidifies Melgar’s position among the early leaders of the Peruvian top flight, while Moquegua remain winless through three matches.

Pablo Erustes opened the scoring for Melgar in the 43rd minute, setting the tone for a one-sided affair. Just moments into added time of the first half, Jhonny Vidales extended the lead with a penalty, sending Melgar into the break with a comfortable 2-0 advantage. The second half saw no let-up in Melgar’s attacking prowess, as Bernardo Cuesta added two goals – in the 63rd and 87th minutes – to complete the rout.

The match statistics underscored Melgar’s complete control. They possessed the ball 73.4% of the time and registered 14 shot attempts, five of which were on target. Deportivo Moquegua, in contrast, struggled to create opportunities, managing only one shot on goal from seven attempts. Melgar also earned three corner kicks to Moquegua’s five, and goalkeeper Franco Zanelatto made one save.

Melgar’s starting lineup featured Cabezudo, Ramos, Lazo, Orzán, Cabanillas, Salas, Tandazo, Guzmán, Erustes, Vidales, and Cuesta, under the direction of manager J. Reynoso. Substitutions included Alcántar for Cabanillas, Bordacahar for Lazo, De Santis for Vidales, D’Arrigo for Ramos, and Zanelatto for Erustes. Deportivo Moquegua’s starting eleven consisted of Grados, Perleche, Enciso, Lojas, Amasifuén, Chipao, Mejía, Chávez, Dávila, Ruiz, and Collazos, managed by J. Serna. Moquegua made substitutions of López for Chávez, Lastre for Ruiz, Ramírez for Mejía, Jiménez for Amasifuén, and Zapata for Dávila.

The game wasn’t without its moments of physicality. Yorman Zapata of Deportivo Moquegua received a yellow card in the 89th minute, while Bernardo Cuesta was cautioned for Melgar shortly before scoring his second goal in the 87th minute. The referee for the match was Mike Israel Palomino.

This result is particularly significant for Melgar, who now boast a 3-0-0 record with 9 points, placing them among the top teams in the Apertura stage. Their +7 goal difference is a clear indicator of their attacking strength. Universitario and Alianza Lima also have 3-0-0 records and 9 points, setting up an intriguing early-season competition at the top of the table. Los Chankas and Deportivo Garcilaso are close behind with 1-2-0 records and 15 points.

For Deportivo Moquegua, the defeat is a harsh reality check. With a record of 0-0-3 and a -6 goal difference, they find themselves at the bottom of the Liga1 standings. Their struggles highlight the challenges of competing against established teams like Melgar, and they will need to address their defensive vulnerabilities and improve their attacking output to climb the table. They are currently tied with FC Cajamarca and Cusco FC for the worst record in the league.

The comprehensive victory for Melgar demonstrates their ambition to contend for the Liga1 title. Bernardo Cuesta’s brace was a key factor in the win, showcasing his clinical finishing ability. The team’s overall performance, characterized by dominant possession and a relentless attacking approach, suggests they are a force to be reckoned with this season. The ability to rotate players, as evidenced by the substitutions made by manager Reynoso, also indicates a depth of squad quality that will be crucial throughout the long campaign.

Looking ahead, Melgar will aim to maintain their momentum in their upcoming fixtures, while Deportivo Moquegua will be focused on securing their first points of the season and avoiding further setbacks. The Liga1 Apertura is shaping up to be a competitive and exciting season, with Melgar establishing themselves as early frontrunners.

Inter Miami’s preseason plans also intersected with Peruvian football, as announced on Friday. The team, featuring Lionel Messi, will travel to Peru and Panama for two preseason matches before the start of the 2025 MLS campaign. While not directly related to the Melgar-Moquegua match, this news underscores the growing international profile of Peruvian football.