Alianza Lima enjoyed a triumphant Blanquiazul Night on Saturday, cruising to a 3-0 victory over Lionel Messi's Inter Miami. The MLS outfit had no answer to the clinical Paolo Guerrero, whose brace provided much-needed cheer for the Peruvian giants following a turbulent week overshadowed by sexual abuse allegations involving three of their players.

Guerrero effectively put the contest out of reach within the opening half-hour, sparking celebrations among the home support. Luis Ramos later added gloss to the scoreline, converting in the second half to wrap up a dominant 3-0 win.

The Alianza captain broke the deadlock in the 29th minute, reacting quickest to a rebound in the area to nod home the opener. Moments later, 'The Predator' doubled the advantage, latching onto a delivery from Ecuador's Eryc Castillo before steering a precise first-time strike into the bottom corner.

A clear gulf in match fitness was evident throughout. While this was Messi's side's first pre-season outing ahead of a competitive return in mid-February, Alianza Lima were fine-tuning their preparations in their fourth friendly before their league campaign begins next week.

Inter Miami's brightest moments were fleeting; Messi saw a 15th-minute free-kick clear the crossbar, while Luis Suarez forced a smart save from goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra after the break. Ultimately, the Florida franchise lacked the sharpness required to breach the Alianza defence.

The hosts continued to press, and the third goal arrived courtesy of a surging run from Argentine Federico Girotti, who teed up Luis Ramos to finish with aplomb.

It was a disappointing start to Inter's South American tour under the stewardship of Javier Mascherano. Following the defeat in Lima, the Herons travel to face Atletico Nacional in Colombia, Barcelona Guayaquil in Ecuador, and Independiente del Valle in Puerto Rico.

L. Ramos

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