Liga de Quito rally past Barcelona to revive Libertadores hopes

Liga de Quito fought back to win at Casa Blanca on Sunday, October 11. Their 2-1 comeback against Barcelona SC renewed hopes of returning to South America’s biggest club competition.

However, the hosts needed two sharp finishes after an own goal left them behind. Fernando Cornejo equalised before Alexander Alvarado delivered the winner, turning a difficult evening into three points as rain battered Quito.

Star Us on Google Search

Casa Blanca demands answers

The second round of LigaPro’s championship hexagonal brought two clubs chasing continental qualification together at Rodrigo Paz Delgado Stadium. Gustavo Álvarez’s hosts entered with 49 points, while Pablo Trobbiani’s visitors had 44.

Initially, Liga threatened through Marcelo Weigandt and Lucas Rodríguez, but neither found the breakthrough. Barcelona then began attacking more effectively, with Jefferson Wila and Johan García carrying the ball forward.

Meanwhile, Damián Díaz helped direct the visitors’ attacks through midfield. Gonzalo Valle pushed García’s shot behind for a corner and later stopped Javier Báez from close range.

Those interventions kept the home side level before the opening goal. Nevertheless, Barcelona’s growing threat showed why Liga could not rely on home advantage alone. Álvarez later highlighted first-half inaccuracies and moments of uncertainty during his post-match press conference.

Pretell’s own goal gives the visitors an opening

Barcelona went ahead before halftime when Wila crossed from the left. Jesús Pretell attempted a headed clearance, but the ball looped beyond Valle into his own net.

AUTOGOLAZOOOOO!!! 🤯🫣 Un centro de Wila impactó en la cabeza de Prettel y se le metió a Valle para el 0-1 de @BarcelonaSC justo antes del descanso. #LigaEcuabet conectada x #Xtrim 🤳🏻 https://t.co/0QFLnD4yRO
— Zapping Ecuador (@zapping_ecu) October 11, 2026

However, the advantage did not survive the opening stages after halftime. In the 53rd minute, Jonathan Perlaza’s clearance fell to Cornejo inside the area.

Zapatazo e igualdad ☄️ Fernando Cornejo pescó un rebote al borde del área y remató sin dejarla caer para el 1-1 de @LDU_Oficial. #LigaEcuabet conectada x #Xtrim 🤳🏻 https://t.co/MJkaXgpGvs
— Zapping Ecuador (@zapping_ecu) October 11, 2026

The Chilean controlled it with his chest and volleyed past José David Contreras. As a result, Liga had an equaliser and attacking momentum.

Carabalí and Alvarado deliver the winner

Álvarez introduced José Carabalí, Alvarado and Kevin Velasco after halftime. The changes gave Liga options as heavy rain arrived and Barcelona struggled to maintain their earlier pressure.

Later, Carabalí supplied the pass from the left into the penalty area. Alvarado met it first time and guided his finish towards the far post.

Remontó el rey!!! 🤩👑 Alexander Alvarado, quien había ingresado al cambio, cerró una jugada espectacular para el 2-1 de @LDU_Oficial. #LigaEcuabet conectada x #Xtrim 🤳🏻 https://t.co/l8jUhNqOLf
— Zapping Ecuador (@zapping_ecu) October 11, 2026

That combination completed the turnaround with fewer than ten minutes remaining. Moreover, two substitutes contributed to the deciding goal.

Liga de Quito close the gap on second place

The victory lifted Liga to third place with 52 points in the LigaPro championship group. Meanwhile, Macará held second place on 57 after beating Universidad Católica 1-0.

Five points therefore separate the clubs in that contest behind leaders Independiente del Valle. The result strengthened the hosts’ pursuit of a Copa Libertadores 2027 berth without settling qualification.

Barcelona remained sixth with 44 points. However, their postponed opening fixture against Independiente leaves them one game in hand.

Better execution rewards the home side

Liga de Quito found two different answers to Barcelona’s defensive problems. Cornejo punished an incomplete clearance, while Alvarado finished a move that opened space inside the box.

Moreover, Álvarez credited improved precision after the interval rather than claiming uninterrupted dominance. His assessment fits a match where Barcelona threatened before halftime.

Valle’s earlier saves also mattered, preventing the visitors from building a larger advantage. Therefore, the comeback depended on defensive protection and sharper finishing.

(18+) Once your betstar77 register verification goes through and you sign in via your betstar77 login, you’re the absolute boss of your own session. Still, let’s keep it real: dropping wagers without any boundaries is a surefire way to kill a good afternoon. Take a brief timeout before clicking your first matchup and lock in a firm spending limit that respects your wallet.