Emelec and Barcelona draw the Clásico del Astillero, stalling their Ecuadorian aspirations

The Clásico del Astillero between Emelec and Barcelona ended in a goalless draw, a result that significantly impacted both teams' ambitions in the Ecuadorian championship.

The highly anticipated match was marred by an incident before kickoff. Alleged Emelec supporters attacked the vehicle transporting Barcelona's players and staff, damaging its windows. This led to a one-hour delay and prompted security forces, including the army, to implement stringent measures to ensure the game could proceed safely.

Barcelona, playing under protest due to the security concerns, secured a third-place position in the standings with 30 points. However, the draw allowed league leaders Independiente del Valle to extend their lead, now sitting comfortably with 43 points. Aucas also capitalized on the weekend's results, surprising Deportivo Cuenca with a 1-0 away win to claim second place.

Other notable results saw Liga de Quito held to a 0-0 draw by Libertad, frustrating their fans and leading to criticism of coach Tiago Nunes. Independiente del Valle continued their dominant run with a 4-1 victory over Mushuc Runa, solidifying their position at the top.