Liga de Quito and Barcelona Seek to Secure Hexagonal Places on Matchday 29

Liga de Quito and Barcelona enter the final stretch of Ecuador’s first-stage championship with 42 points each and qualification for the final hexagonal at stake.

The two clubs can reach 44 points over the penultimate and final rounds, a total that would secure one of the three places linked to the 2027 Copa Libertadores or one of the three Copa Sudamericana berths. Liga will visit Técnico Universitario, while Barcelona will travel to face Aucas.

Aucas already have 48 points and secured their place in the hexagonal in the previous round. Liga, meanwhile, have endured an inconsistent period since Brazilian coach Tiago Nunes left in July and Argentine Gustavo Álvarez arrived soon afterward.

Independiente del Valle lead the standings with 68 points and will open the 29th round against Macará. The Ambato team also have 48 points and have qualified. Universidad Católica, on 45 points, are another confirmed participant and will visit Delfín in Manta.

The remaining places are being contested by Leones del Norte and Libertad, who have 38 points each, and Mushuc Runa, on 37. Guayaquil City and Emelec have 36 apiece, while Deportivo Cuenca have 35. These six clubs are among the main contenders for the fourth place, which leads to the playoff route for the fourth Copa Sudamericana ticket.

The champion of the Copa Ecuador will receive the fourth Copa Libertadores place for 2027. The round also includes Delfín against Universidad Católica, Aucas against Barcelona, Deportivo Cuenca against Libertad, Emelec against Manta, Orense against Guayaquil City, and Mushuc Runa against Leones del Norte.