Liga de Quito seeks to eliminate Mirassol and advance in Copa Libertadores

Liga de Quito aims to eliminate Mirassol and secure a spot in the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals when they host the Brazilian team on Thursday, August 20. The series stands at a 1-1 tie following the first leg in Brazil, making a home victory essential for Liga de Quito to avoid a penalty shootout.

Liga de Quito enters the rematch after securing a 1-1 draw in Brazil, with Michael Estrada scoring the equalizer for the Ecuadorian side. This match marks the fourth encounter between Liga and Mirassol in the current Libertadores edition. Their previous group stage games saw Mirassol win 2-0 at home, while Liga de Quito secured a 2-0 victory in Ecuador. The first leg of this knockout round ended in a 1-1 draw, leaving the series perfectly balanced with one win and one draw apiece for each team so far.

Michael Estrada has emerged as a key offensive player for Liga de Quito, scoring eight goals in five matches since coach Gustavo Álvarez took over. His recent performance, including the crucial equalizer in Brazil, has been a significant boost. Estrada was rested in Liga Pro's last match against Aucas, alongside other key starters, to ensure he is fully prepared for this decisive Copa Libertadores fixture.

Mirassol arrives in Quito facing domestic struggles, currently sitting 17th in the Brazilian league with 23 points from 22 matches. Their form leading up to this crucial continental tie was further dampened by a 5-1 defeat to Flamengo just before traveling to Ecuador. This challenging league position adds pressure to their Libertadores campaign.