Alianza Lima vs Deportivo Cali

Deportivo Cali scored before the match was 30 seconds old. Emanuel Reynoso played a pass in behind for Fabián Viáfara, whose cross into the box found Steven Rodríguez unmarked. Rodríguez executed a volleyed finish past Alejandro Duarte to make it 1-0 inside the opening minute — the fastest goal possible in a friendly that had barely begun.

Alianza slowly grew into the half. Just before the interval, Eryc Castillo created a chance for Federico Girotti, whose shot crashed off the post with the goal gaping. That was the closest the home side came to levelling before half-time (0-1).

The second half followed a similar pattern. Early in the half, Steven Rodríguez struck the post for what would have been a second goal. Alianza pushed for an equaliser but lacked sharpness in the final third. Substitute Geray Motta came on for Pablo Gentile (56') and Jesús Chávez replaced Neira (77'), but clear chances remained scarce.

Deep into stoppage time — the eighth of nine added minutes — Daniel Giraldo sealed the win. Picking the ball up on the edge of the area, the Colombian midfielder curled a finish into the top corner beyond Duarte's reach to make it 2-0.

The match effectively ended before it had properly started. Rodríguez's 27-second goal forced Alianza out of their experimental shape and handed Deportivo Cali complete control of the game's tempo. For the rest of the first half, the visitors sat deep and invited pressure, knowing Alianza were chasing an equaliser from the first minute.

• Steven Rodríguez (Deportivo Cali) — Scored inside 27 seconds and hit the post early in the second half. His movement and finishing were the difference. Player of the match.
• Daniel Giraldo (Deportivo Cali) — Added the second in stoppage time with a composed finish from the edge of the box. Controlled midfield alongside Gustavo Cuéllar.
• Eryc Castillo (Alianza Lima) — Alianza's most dangerous attacker. Created the best chance of the first half with a run that set up Girotti's shot off the post.
• Pedro Gallese (Deportivo Cali) — The Peru international goalkeeper, facing his former club, played the first half only but was well received by the Matute crowd.

This was Alianza Lima's third and final pre-season friendly of the winter break. They previously beat Deportivo Moquegua 3-2 and Universidad San Martín 4-3.

Paolo Guerrero (42) did not feature — Guede chose to rest his captain and all-time top scorer ahead of the Clausura campaign. Guerrero was present at the stadium but not in the squad.

Alianza Lima now turn their attention to the Torneo Clausura opener: vs Sport Huancayo at home on Sunday 19 July (19:00 local time, Estadio Alejandro Villanueva).

Deportivo Cali, featuring Peru internationals Pedro Gallese and Emanuel Reynoso, used the friendly as part of their own pre-season preparations ahead of the Colombian league restart.

A sobering result for Alianza Lima, who must quickly iron out the defensive issues exposed by the experimental back three before the Clausura begins. Deportivo Cali's early goal and clinical finishing made for a straightforward evening — the scoreline did not flatter the visitors.