Liga de Quito comeback sinks Católica in 2-1 win

Three minutes changed the evening at the Rodrigo Paz Delgado stadium. A Liga de Quito comeback turned frustration into a 2-1 victory over Universidad Católica on Sunday, September 20.

Deyverson and Yerlin Quiñónez supplied the second half goals after José Fajardo opened the scoring. However, the result demanded more than a late surge. Liga overcame two disallowed goals and an early setback to begin their LigaPro 2026 title stage campaign with three points.

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Liga de Quito comeback narrows the gap

Gustavo Álvarez’s side entered the match needing to close ground on Católica. Before kickoff, five points separated these Quito rivals, according to LigaPro’s official second-phase preview.

Consequently, this home fixture carried an immediate cost for whoever lost. Another dropped result would have left Liga chasing from further behind.

Católica arrived with enough attacking quality to make that concern real. Meanwhile, the hosts had to balance their urgency with protection against the visitors’ forward line.

Álvarez started Michael Estrada and Quiñónez, while Fernando Cornejo offered support from midfield. Deyverson began on the bench, leaving Liga another penalty area option if the match demanded changes.

Ultimately, that option became central to the result. Yet Liga first had to endure an uncomfortable opening and a long wait for a legal equalizer supporter at Casa Blanca, this was no straightforward home win. Instead, the hosts needed patience before their attacking changes finally delivered.

Both teams were beginning the title hexagonal, making this a direct test against another contender. Moreover, the existing points gap gave the opening round significance beyond local pride.

Fajardo scores first

After ten minutes, Mauricio Alonso’s shot found Fajardo, whose touch changed its direction. The Panamanian striker put Católica ahead and immediately complicated Liga’s plans.

¿Fortuna o viveza? 🫢🚂

Fajardo alcanzó a desviar un remate y descolocó por completo a Valle para el 0-1 de @UCatolicaEC.#LigaEcuabet conectada x #Xtrim 🤳🏻 pic.twitter.com/8Dp0xMeoYr
— Zapping Ecuador (@zapping_ecu) September 21, 2026

As a result, the visitors could defend a lead rather than chase the game. Liga continued searching for openings, but their first apparent breakthrough brought no reward.

Officials disallowed a home goal at 45+2 following a VAR review. Later, another review denied Liga again in the 61st minute.

However, those decisions did not end the contest or remove the hosts’ attacking threat. Católica still needed to protect their advantage through the final half-hour.

Deyverson changes the attack

After the interval, Álvarez changed his attacking options as Liga sought a response. His second-half introductions included Leonel Quiñónez, Alexander Alvarado, Jesús Pretell, Deyverson and José Carabalí.

Meanwhile, Yerlin Quiñónez became the link between Liga’s pressure and their breakthrough. He supplied Deyverson, who finished from close range in the 71st minute.

DEYVERSOOOOOOON!!! 🇧🇷

Grandísimo centro desde el costado izquierdo y apareció el brasileño para el 1-1 de @LDU_Oficial.#LigaEcuabet conectada x #Xtrim 🤳🏻 pic.twitter.com/haceCSJ1i9
— Zapping Ecuador (@zapping_ecu) September 21, 2026

That combination gave the hosts the goal their earlier efforts had lacked. Moreover, the substitute’s contribution justified keeping another recognised finisher available for the closing stages.

Liga then attacked again before Católica could restore their advantage. Cornejo provided the pass, and Quiñónez finished in the 74th minute. However, another VAR review delayed confirmation before officials allowed the winning goal.

Liga close on Católica

The victory moved Liga onto 49 points, although they remained fifth. Meanwhile, Católica stayed third with 51, leaving only two points between the clubs.

Therefore, the Liga de Quito comeback reduced their immediate deficit without changing the order between these rivals. Winning the opener offered progress, not a finished recovery.

Discipline also featured in the match record, with five yellow cards for Liga. Luis Segovia, Pretell, Yerlin Quiñónez, Alvarado and Marcelo Weigandt received cautions.

By contrast, Católica completed the match without any cards. Those bookings belong alongside the goals when assessing the hosts’ evening, even without assuming future suspensions.

Composure decides the match

Quiñónez supplied both a goal and an assist during the decisive spell. However, Cornejo’s contribution to the winner also deserves attention.

Their involvement explains why the response extended beyond one substitute’s impact. Liga connected the final pass with the finish twice, while Católica failed to interrupt either move.

La casa del rey se respeta 🤫

Yerlin Quiñónez hizo de todo en esta jugada para terminar definiendo y concretando la remontada 2-1 de @LDU_Oficial.#LigaEcuabet conectada x #Xtrim 🤳🏻 pic.twitter.com/eV8cX8V617
— Zapping Ecuador (@zapping_ecu) September 21, 2026

Moreover, the hosts protected their narrow advantage after taking the lead. They avoided surrendering the result during the remaining regulation time and stoppages.

That closing work mattered because an equaliser would have changed the table’s arithmetic again. Instead, Liga turned their attacking burst into a complete home victory.

Católica need a response

Católica’s opening goal gave them a platform that lasted deep into the match. Nevertheless, conceding again so soon after the equaliser undid that advantage.

Their changes included Luis Moreno, Jerónimo Cacciabue and Andrés Rodríguez. However, the visitors could not find another goal after falling behind.

Earlier, their starting lineup had included experienced midfield options in Facundo Martínez and Mauro Díaz.The immediate task was to examine how they defended those consecutive scoring moves. Meanwhile, LigaPro’s official calendar provides the reference for the next round’s scheduling.

This Liga de Quito comeback gives Álvarez a result to build upon. However, conceding early remains an issue that the late goals cannot erase.

Católica still holds the higher position, so their campaign retains room for a response. For Liga, the next challenge is producing sharper football before the closing stages. Ultimately, Casa Blanca delivered three points and a narrower gap, rather than any guarantee about the title race ahead.

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