Deportivo Cuenca vs Manta FC

Manta FC walked into the Alejandro Serrano Aguilar and left with three points few expected. Deportivo Cuenca vs Manta FC finished 1-2 on Monday, August 10, during LigaPro Matchday 24.

Juan Nazareno struck first, Lucas Mancinelli answered, and Joaquín Vergés decided the contest late. However, Cuenca also left frustrated after a disputed penalty claim near full time. For Manta, the timing mattered enormously.

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Deportivo Cuenca vs Manta FC Turns on Late Precision

First-Half Dynamics and Key Openers

Manta arrived in Cuenca sitting last in the LigaPro 2026 standings. Even so, the Manabí side played without the fear expected from a bottom club.

Nazareno gave the visitors an early reward after 15 minutes. His long-range finish beat Cuenca and changed the emotional direction of the match.

BOOOOOOM y adentro!!!! ☄️🫨

Gran jugada colectiva de la visita y asistencia para Nazareno que no dudó en rematar para el 0-1 del @MantaFutbolClub ante Deportivo Cuenca. #LigaEcuabet conectada x #Xtrim 🤳🏻 pic.twitter.com/aVK9ouWiiO
— Zapping Ecuador (@zapping_ecu) August 11, 2026

Meanwhile, Deportivo Cuenca increased possession and pushed the game toward Manta’s defensive third. The home side needed patience because Manta protected central spaces and waited for transition moments.

Mancinelli finally levelled the score in the 44th minute. Therefore, Cuenca entered halftime with momentum and the home crowd expecting a second-half push.

Lo empató el alcalde 👑

Se avispó el @DCuencaOficial y lo igualó 1-1 con gol de Mancinelli antes del entretiempo.#LigaEcuabet conectada x #Xtrim 🤳🏻 pic.twitter.com/p2wPEqSWiZ
— Zapping Ecuador (@zapping_ecu) August 11, 2026

Second-Half Decisive Actions and Final Surge

However, Manta never lost its threat after the break. Cuenca advanced more bodies, while the visitors found space behind those forward movements.

That balance became decisive during the closing stages. Moreover, that control mattered just as much as Manta’s finishing. Vergés punished Cuenca at 84 minutes and restored Manta’s lead with another shot from distance.

Nazareno's Opener Changed the Match Early

The Juan Nazareno goal forced Deportivo Cuenca away from its preferred match script. Before 15 minutes, Cuenca could build patiently and choose when to accelerate.

Afterward, the hosts had to chase the score. As a result, Manta could defend deeper and look for space after recoveries.

Nazareno’s finish also gave confidence to a team carrying pressure from last place. Moreover, an away lead allowed Manta to manage risk with greater discipline.

Cuenca still found its response before halftime. The Lucas Mancinelli equalizer arrived at 44 minutes and rewarded sustained pressure around Manta’s area.

90'⏰ Final | ¡LA PELEA ES PELEANDO! TRIUNFO EN CUENCA 🩵

⚽️Juan Nazareno
⚽️Joaquín Vergés#CUE 1️⃣🆚2️⃣#MAN#MantensesComoTú #VamosPorMás pic.twitter.com/StEajcUPyd
— Manta Futbol Club (@MantaFutbolClub) August 11, 2026

Manta Stayed Dangerous While Cuenca Chased

Cuenca controlled more of the ball after falling behind. However, possession alone did not remove Manta’s counterattacking danger. Therefore, Deportivo Cuenca vs Manta FC became a test of efficiency, not control.

Manta accepted stretches without the ball and protected the spaces nearest goal. Meanwhile, its forwards remained ready to attack whenever Cuenca’s shape opened.

Vergés became the decisive figure in that pattern. The Joaquín Vergés winner arrived six minutes before normal time ended.

Puro golazooooo!!! 🤯

Vergés encaró, vio el espacio y disparó para el 1-2 definitivo del @MantaFutbolClub.#LigaEcuabet conectada x #Xtrim 🤳🏻 pic.twitter.com/p9m4AKO0l5
— Zapping Ecuador (@zapping_ecu) August 11, 2026

His mid-range strike punished another moment when Cuenca had pushed forward. Therefore, Manta converted territorial pressure against the hosts into a match-winning opportunity.

Cuenca pressed again before the whistle. However, a late incident brought penalty appeals without changing the referee’s decision.

Manta FC LigaPro 2026 Win Changes the Bottom Battle

Match Overview and Standings Impact

The final score gave Manta its fourth LigaPro victory of the 2026 season. As a result, the club moved to 17 points but remained bottom.

Deportivo Cuenca stayed on 31 points and held tenth place in the supplied match reports. Therefore, the defeat damaged another chance to close ground on the top six.

The timing made the setback more painful for the Morlacos. They were at home, faced the last-placed team, and had already recovered from an early deficit.m.

Match Analysis and Broader Implications

However, Manta showed greater efficiency in the moments that mattered. Two accurate strikes from distance delivered three points from a difficult cancha.

For Cuenca, the match exposed a familiar football problem. Control means little when defensive spacing disappears during attacking phases.

Manta, in contrast, gained more than a positive scoreline. Meanwhile, those margins now carry greater weight as Cuenca’s schedule tightens. An away victory in Cuenca can strengthen belief during a difficult fight near the bottom.

Three Goals Defined a Tight Matchday 24 Finish

Match Progression and Key Goals

The scoring timeline stayed simple but dramatic. Nazareno made it 0-1 after 15 minutes before Mancinelli equalised at 44.

Then, both teams entered the second half with realistic winning chances. Moreover, Cuenca’s home pressure created a more open match as time passed.

Vergés delivered the final scoring action at 84 minutes. His goal made it 1-2 and forced Cuenca into another late attacking surge.

Late Drama and Final Outcome

A disputed penalty claim followed before full time. However, play continued, and Manta protected the advantage through the closing moments.

The result completed Matchday 24 with an upset in Azuay. Therefore, Manta returned to Manabí with three valuable points.

First-Half Dynamics and Key Openers

Deportivo Cuenca's Tactical Adjustments for Orense

Deportivo Cuenca now needs a sharper defensive response in its next LigaPro match. The team visits Orense on Sunday, August 16, at 2:00 PM.

Meanwhile, Manta hosts Leones on Saturday, August 15, at 2:00 PM That fixture offers another chance to build momentum after the Cuenca victory.

Cuenca must improve its protection when fullbacks and midfielders advance together. Otherwise, opponents can attack the spaces left behind after turnovers.

In addition, the Morlacos need more final-third efficiency when they control possession. Mancinelli supplied the equalizer, but one goal did not match their attacking pressure.

Manta's Challenge and Upcoming Fixtures

Manta faces a different challenge. However, one away win cannot erase the pressure created by last place and 17 points.

However, Manta earned the night through discipline and two decisive long range finishes. Cuenca now turns toward Orense with little room for another setback. Meanwhile, Manta returns home against Leones carrying fresh confidence.

🏁 Final del partido#DCuenca 🆚 #Manta #LigaEcuabetConectadaPorXtrim #VamosCUENCA 🔴⚫️ pic.twitter.com/DWTK5t5ZCf
— Club Deportivo Cuenca (@DCuencaOficial) August 11, 2026

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