Macará defeats Aucas 2-1 to open the Ecuadorian hexagonal final in style. The Ambato club travelled to Quito and left with all three points at the Gonzalo Pozo Ripalda stadium.
Francisco Posse and Agustín Campana struck before halftime pressure eased. Meanwhile, Ayrton Preciado’s late penalty arrived too far into stoppage time to matter. Therefore, this result sends an early warning to every rival chasing the LigaPro crown this season.
Macará Defeats Aucas at Gonzalo Pozo Ripalda
Macará travelled to Quito with a clear plan and controlled the biggest moments. The Ambato side pressed high and limited Aucas inside their own stadium.
Francisco Posse broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time. His finish landed in the 45+2 minute and shifted the momentum instantly.
El goleador dice presente ✅
— Zapping Ecuador (@zapping_ecu) September 19, 2026
Franco Posse despistó a la marca, apareció solo para empujarla y pone a @Macara_Oficial en ventaja. #LigaEcuabet conectada x #Xtrim 🤳🏻 pic.twitter.com/fg5T8xxQ81
Agustín Campana doubled the lead early in the second half. His strike in the 55th minute forced Aucas into an uphill chase. Meanwhile, Aucas pushed numbers forward and searched for a route back into the match. Their pressure increased as the clock ticked toward the final whistle.
Nuevo Campanazo 🔥🔥🔥
— Zapping Ecuador (@zapping_ecu) September 19, 2026
Si agarra la pelota ahí, Agustín Campana no te perdona. Tremendo zurdazo y lo gana 0-2 @Macara_Oficial.#LigaEcuabet conectada x #Xtrim 🤳🏻 pic.twitter.com/toBWmjW0w3
Ayrton Preciado converted a penalty deep into second-half stoppage time. However, the goal arrived far too late to threaten the result.
Silence fell over Gonzalo Pozo Ripalda soon after the second goal. Aucas could not find the rhythm needed to respond in time. Therefore, Macará held firm and sealed a statement win on the road. The final score read 2-1, and Ambato claimed three valuable points.
The Turning Point: Posse's Stoppage-Time Strike
Posse’s goal changed everything before the break. Macará needed a spark, and the forward delivered it in first-half stoppage time.
His finish arrived when Aucas expected a whistle, not a breakthrough. That timing hurt the home side’s confidence heading into the locker room. Moreover, the early setback forced Aucas to alter their approach in the second half. They had to chase the game instead of controlling it.
As a result, Macará dictated tempo for long stretches after halftime. The visitors defended compactly and limited clear chances near their own box.
Momentum Swings and Aucas's Late Response
Campana’s second goal effectively ended any comeback hope. His strike landed just ten minutes into the second half.
Aucas searched for answers but struggled to break down a well organized defense. Frustration grew visible as chances kept slipping away.
Ayrtinho no falla ⚽️⚡️
— Zapping Ecuador (@zapping_ecu) September 19, 2026
Luego de que se decidió penal, el Papá @Aucas45 recortó la distancia y Preciado anota el 1-2.#LigaEcuabet conectada x #Xtrim 🤳🏻 pic.twitter.com/aLAzX5t2aM
Preciado’s late penalty showed Aucas still had fight left. However, the goal arrived far too close to the final whistle to matter.
Therefore, Macará’s discipline in the closing stages proved decisive. The Ambato side managed the clock and protected their two-goal cushion until injury time.
¡𝐕𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐨𝐬, 𝐣𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐬, 𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐬 (𝐨𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐯𝐞𝐳) 𝐲 𝐧𝐨𝐬 𝐯𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐬! 🩵🤪🥳
— Club Dep. Macará (@Macara_Oficial) September 19, 2026
Cambian las fechas, cambian las temporadas, pero las victorias se repiteeeeen. 🔥⚽️🏟️
El Ídolo es de Ambato, los puntos son Celestes y el hexagonal se arrancó con… pic.twitter.com/kMS4QbpobE
Hexagonal Standings Shift After Macará's Win
The hexagonal final table looks very different after matchday one. Macará climbed to second place with 54 points following the win.
That result also increased pressure on Barcelona SC, who sit ten points back. However, Barcelona still holds a game in hand against Independiente del Valle.
Officials postponed that fixture, originally scheduled for Monday, September 21. Therefore, the gap between the two clubs could still narrow.
Meanwhile, one match from the opening round remains unplayed. Liga de Quito hosts Universidad Católica this Sunday, September 20, at 6:30 p.m. In addition, that result will likely reshape the standings once again. For example, an Universidad Católica win would tighten the race near the top.
After the FIFA international break, action resumes on October 11. Macará will visit Universidad Católica, while Aucas hosts Independiente del Valle at home. Barcelona, meanwhile, faces Liga de Quito in a Quito derby at the Rodrigo Paz Delgado Stadium.
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