Peruvian Liga 1 Clausura 2026 kicks off with Sporting Cristal win and Melgar upset

Sporting Cristal bolstered its squad for the 2026 Torneo Clausura by securing a season‑long loan of 20‑year‑old centre‑back Anderson Villacorta from Mexico's Mineros, with an option to buy and a 20 % sell‑on clause for the Mexican club. The team also announced the permanent transfer of Brazilian midfielder Gustavo Cazonatti to Brazil's Mirassol, retaining a future resale percentage.

In the tournament's opening round, Sporting Cristal faced Deportivo Garcilaso at the Alberto Gallardo stadium and earned a 1‑0 victory thanks to a long‑range free‑kick by Martín Távara in the 52nd minute. The match also marked the debut of Argentine‑Ecuadorian forward Michael Hoyos for Cristal.

Later the same day, FBC Melgar travelled to Cusco and overturned a 1‑0 deficit to defeat Cienciano 3‑1. Alejandro Hohberg put Cienciano ahead, but was sent off after a VAR‑reviewed elbow, and Melgar capitalised through goals by Nicolás Quagliata, Jefferson Cáceres and Johnny Vidales.

These events signal a competitive start to Peru's top‑flight season, with player movements across Mexico and Brazil and several headline‑making matches.