In a thrilling encounter at the Estadio Gonzalo Pozo Ripalda on November 1, 2025, Aucas and El Nacional battled to a dramatic 3-3 draw in their Liga Pro match. The game was a testament to both teams' tenacity, revealing the desperation of Aucas, sitting in ninth place, and the ambition of El Nacional, struggling to move up from eleventh.
The match began brightly for Aucas, who took an early lead just nine minutes into the game through a goal from Bruno Miranda. His swift strike set the tone for what would be an action-packed evening. However, El Nacional fought back with resolve. In the thirty-eighth minute, they found their equalizer when Djorkaeff Reasco expertly finished off a well-worked team move, sending fans into a frenzy.
Just before halftime, the home side regained control with another goal from Brian Montenegro in the forty-third minute. This time it seemed that momentum was firmly with Aucas, especially when Montenegro scored again right after the break in the forty-seventh minute to give them a 3-1 advantage. The stands erupted as hopes swelled for a much-needed win.
Yet, it was far from over. Just four minutes later, Djorkaeff Reasco struck again for El Nacional, pulling one back and reigniting his team's hopes. This goal exemplified resilience and determination; rather than allowing despair to settle in after falling behind, they turned up their intensity.
As both teams exchanged blows throughout the second half, it became clear that this fixture was destined for an unpredictable finish. With only eight minutes remaining on the clock, Reasco completed his hat-trick in stunning fashion to level the score at 3-3. His decisive third goal underscored why he has become indispensable for his side this season.
Reflecting on my pre-match analysis where I anticipated fireworks from both Miranda and Reasco-who indeed delivered-I can humbly acknowledge how close I was yet way off in predicting an outright winner; this chaotic exchange ultimately reflected neither team's current struggles but showcased their willpower.
With this tie, Aucas remains in ninth place with 41 points while El Nacional, now eleven points behind with 34 points, continues to grapple with consistency as they sit two spots above last place in these crucial stages of Liga Pro's Placement Group. Both teams will now look ahead carefully; every point matters as they vie for improved standings before the season concludes.
For upcoming fixtures, Aucas will face off against Delfin SC on November 11 in hopes of securing vital points to solidify their position mid-table. Meanwhile, El Nacional will meet Emelec on November 9 as they continue their search for stability amid trying times.
In sum, this high-octane draw served as more than just another game-it revealed character amidst chaos and highlighted ongoing battles within Ecuadorian football's ever-compelling narrative this season. As each team pushes forward into uncharted waters toward playoff possibilities, one thing is clear: expect further fireworks down the road.