Independiente del Valle will have to wait to be crowned LigaPro champions. The leaders were held 0-0 by Universidad Católica on Friday at the Estadio Gonzalo Pozo Ripalda in Quito in matchday 4 of the title hexagonal. VAR ruled out a late Juan Viacava goal, so the title can’t be decided this round.

Storm delay, then a goal that did not count

Kickoff was pushed back about 40 minutes because of a thunderstorm and heavy rain in the south of Quito, according to El Crack and Órbita Deportiva. In the 76th minute Matías Perelló set up Viacava, who finished. But referee Gabriel González reviewed the play on the monitor (Franklin Congo was the VAR) and disallowed the goal for an earlier foul on a Católica player, Primicias reported. Católica goalkeeper Johan Lara made several key saves, and Primicias had Católica with 54% possession.

What it means

IDV have 78 points, 18 more than second-placed Macará, according to Órbita Deportiva. Católica have 53 points, level for now with Liga de Quito. LDU host Macará on Saturday, Oct 24, at 5:30 PM ET at the Rodrigo Paz Delgado. El Canal del Fútbol notes that result matters in the title race. For Católica, the point keeps them in the fight for a Copa Libertadores 2027 place. “It’s a point that adds up and there are still possibilities,” Católica general manager Luis Roggiero told radio La Red, as quoted by El Crack.

Next up

Next round, IDV host Liga de Quito and Católica host Aucas, according to Primicias. All of LigaPro’s upcoming fixtures are on our schedule page.