Emelec left Cuenca with another painful defeat and a harsher table reality. The Bombillo dropped two places, sliding from eighth to tenth after losing 2-1.
The Emelec LigaPro 2026 standings now show 28 points after LigaPro Matchday 22. Meanwhile, Deportivo Cuenca climbed to eighth with 31 points. Melvin Díaz scored twice, while Ignacio Guerrico briefly restored hope with a superb strike.
Deportivo Cuenca vs Emelec turns on key moments
Deportivo Cuenca ended a six match winless run under new coach Daniel Néculman. The Morlacos played with greater purpose than Alejandro Serrano Aguilar. Early exchanges remained balanced, although Cuenca attacked more clearly through the right side. Lucas Mancinelli repeatedly delivered crosses toward Emelec’s penalty area.
Moreover, the home midfield recovered loose balls and restarted attacks quickly. Emelec found one early opening when Francisco Pizzini crossed toward Luca Klimowicz.
However, the forward could not complete the move. Cuenca then controlled possession without forcing the pace. At 35 minutes, Mancinelli found Melvin Díaz after another defensive lapse. Díaz attacked the delivery and beat Pedro Ortiz with a firm header.
Cuenquita corazón 🔴
— Zapping Ecuador (@zapping_ecu) July 28, 2026
Gran centro del alcalde Mancinelli para que Díaz conecte de cabeza y ponga el 1-0 de @DCuencaOficial ante Emelec.#LigaEcuabet conectada x #Xtrim 🤳🏻 pic.twitter.com/gms96SSQ9G
Therefore, Emelec entered halftime trailing after another costly marking error. Daniel González nearly extended the advantage before the break. His long range effort passed narrowly beside the post. Meanwhile, Emelec offered little creativity and lacked aggression around Facundo Ferrero’s area.
Guerrico’s strike changes the mood after halftime
Cristian Nasuti reacted with three halftime changes. Luis Fragozo, José Cevallos, and José Ayoví entered for the second half. Consequently, Emelec played with more energy and pushed Cuenca backward. Ignacio Guerrico equalised in the 46th minute with a magnificent long-range effort.
Qué ricooooo!!!! ☄️
— Zapping Ecuador (@zapping_ecu) July 28, 2026
Ignacio Guerrico vio adelantado al arquero y metió un bombazo para el 1-1 de @CSEmelec.#LigaEcuabet conectada x #Xtrim 🤳🏻 pic.twitter.com/gYtkPy8t3D
The full-back spotted Ferrero away from his line and struck immediately. His shot flew beyond the goalkeeper and silenced the Cuenca stands. The Ignacio Guerrico equaliser arrived before the hosts could reorganise. Emelec then pressed higher and recovered possession closer to Cuenca’s box.
For several minutes, Bombillo looked capable of controlling the match. However, that improvement never produced a second clear finish. Juan Pablo Ruiz Gómez found space outside the area, but Ferrero handled his effort. Therefore, the momentum remained fragile despite Emelec’s stronger attitude. The equaliser changed the atmosphere, although it did not repair defensive positioning.
Melvin Díaz responds and seals his double
Cuenca answered when Emelec appeared ready to take command. In the 62nd minute, Díaz received space outside the penalty area. He then drove a precise shot beside the post for his second goal. Moreover, the finish punished Emelec’s slow pressure around the ball.
Neither midfielder closed Díaz quickly enough before his strike. That hesitation gave the forward time to choose his corner. Afterwards, Emelec pushed more players into attacking positions. That Melvin Díaz double ended Cuenca’s six match winless run.
Una pintura 🎨@DCuencaOficial recuperó la ventaja y convirtió el 2-1 gracias a este GOLAZO de Díaz.#LigaEcuabet conectada x #Xtrim 🤳🏻 pic.twitter.com/GfCoxIcTu6
— Zapping Ecuador (@zapping_ecu) July 28, 2026
However, Cuenca protected central spaces and trusted Ferrero during late pressure. Luis Fernando León forced the goalkeeper into a corner kick save. Ruiz Gómez also tested Ferrero from close range. Meanwhile, Pedro Ortiz left the match after suffering a knee problem.
Mario Valero replaced him during the final quarter. In stoppage time, Luis Fragozo created one final threat.Ferrero again responded and protected the 2-1 victory. Therefore, Díaz’s efficiency separated two teams with similar possession phases.
Emelec LigaPro 2026 standings show a two place fall
The final whistle completed Matchday 22 and confirmed Emelec’s fall. The Guayaquil club remained on 28 points but dropped from eighth to tenth. Deportivo Cuenca moved above the Blues after reaching 31 points. Moreover, Guayaquil City’s scoreless draw with Universidad Católica also affected the middle group.
Emelec now sits outside the positions needed for the final championship hexagonal. The setback also extended its winless streak to three league matches. First came a heavy defeat against Independiente del Valle. Then, Bombillo surrendered points during a home draw with Mushuc Runa.
Therefore, the Cuenca loss increased pressure on Nasuti and his squad. Independiente del Valle remains the sole leader after beating Orense 3-2.
The Rayados reached 55 points and maintained a major advantage over the chasing clubs. Meanwhile, Deportivo Cuenca’s rise adds another competitor to the congested middle section. Only small margins separate several teams around the hexagonal line. As a result, every dropped point now carries a sharper consequence.
No stranger to Ecuadorian football, Neculman feels right at home after years of playing and coaching across the country. “I’m practically a local,” he noted. Having only taken over the squad a day before the match, he views this triumph as the perfect launchpad. “It gives us the confidence to start implementing our style. We have a solid roster and we are going to build this up step by step.”
Match result
Key match statistics
Goals and decisive moments
Relevant LigaPro positions
Turn Every Match into a Win Claim Your 100% Bonus at BETSTAR77
BETSTAR77 brings that stadium energy straight to your device with a cutting edge platform designed for sharp live odds and instant USD payouts. Knock out the quick betstar77 register setup right now and we will instantly unlock a 100% Welcome Package to double your opening deposit.
Hit the betstar77 login screen to get straight back into your customized dashboard. Hunt for a massive multiplier on a high volatility betstar77 slot, pull up a seat at the live dealer tables inside the betstar77 casino or lock in a clutch sports prediction just before the whistle blows.
Ready to Win? Join BETSTAR77 Today!
Ready to Win? Join BETSTAR77 Today!
Live sports, casino games & fast payouts 24/7
Welcome Package
Double your first deposit with premium matching bonus
Play responsible and play smart. BETSTAR77 is a strictly verified 18+ platform. Always treat betting as high energy entertainment, never an income source. Set your limits and keep control.
