LDU Quito Secures Ecuador’s Championship Hexagonal and Turns to Palmeiras Clash

LDU Quito secured its place in Ecuador’s final championship hexagonal with a 3-1 comeback win away to Técnico Universitario, but the victory came at a physical cost before a major continental test.

Luis Estupiñán put Técnico Universitario ahead. LDU Quito responded through Michael Estrada, Argentina’s Lucas Rodríguez and Juan Sebastián Rodríguez to complete the turnaround.

Coach Gustavo Álvarez used a lineup that could resemble the team he fields next Wednesday in Brazil for the first leg of the Copa Libertadores quarterfinal against Palmeiras. LDU needed the domestic victory to guarantee its place in the hexagonal, which also awards places in the 2027 Copa Libertadores or Copa Sudamericana.

The match followed a 0-0 draw against Mushuc Runa on Tuesday and added to the squad’s workload. Haitian defender Ricardo Adé also had to leave the field with an injury in the 69th minute. The result put LDU Quito fifth with 45 points after 29 matches.

Independiente del Valle will bring forward its match against Macará to Saturday. Its Uruguayan coach, Joaquín Papa, plans to rest regular starters before next Thursday’s Libertadores quarterfinal against Flamengo in Quito.