Independiente del Valle are one point away from the LigaPro title. IDV beat Liga de Quito 2-0 at the Estadio Banco Guayaquil in Sangolquí on Sunday, in matchday 5 of the hexagonal, with two goals in two minutes midway through the second half.
The first half finished 0-0. Steven Góngora broke the deadlock in the 66th minute, and Carlos “Charli” González made it 2-0 two minutes later with a shot that El Diario reported took a deflection on its way in. Liga made five changes in the second half, bringing on Deyverson among others, but couldn’t find a way back through six minutes of stoppage time. “Un pasito más,” IDV posted after the final whistle: one more little step.
What it means
IDV now have 81 points, 15 ahead of Macará (66). Macará have five games left, so the most they can reach is 81, and IDV still have six to play, including their game in hand at Barcelona on November 25. A single point, or Macará dropping points against Universidad Católica, makes the title official. IDV’s next chance comes next weekend away to Aucas at the Gonzalo Pozo Ripalda stadium in Chillogallo, while Liga visit Barcelona.
Liga stay on 53 points and are now in a tight fight for the remaining Copa Libertadores places. Earlier on Sunday Aucas came from behind to win 2-1 at Universidad Católica in the Atahualpa: Luis Moreno put Católica ahead in the 27th minute, Andrés Mena equalized just before halftime after a misjudged claim by goalkeeper Lucas Cueva, and Luis Arroyo won it in the 89th minute after a long ball from goalkeeper Hamilton Piedra. Both Mena and Católica’s Mauro Díaz were sent off. Aucas move up to 54 points, with Liga and Católica both on 53 and Barcelona on 48.
La Tri’s staff were watching
The FEF said the senior national team’s coaching staff were at both of Sunday’s hexagonal games in the Quito area, continuing to scout the domestic league before the November window. Ecuador host Costa Rica in Quito on November 13 and Bolivia in Guayaquil on November 17. Gallardo’s squad has not been announced yet.
Full LigaPro fixtures are on our Schedule page.
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