Manta defeated Barcelona 2:0 at Estadio Josai on Saturday in a Liga Pro regular season fixture that defied the odds. The hosts, sitting 16th with 20 points, took all three from a sixth-placed side with 39 points and a far superior recent record. Barcelona controlled possession at 64 per cent but found no answer when it mattered.
The decisive moment came in the 16th minute when J. Verges broke through to finish. Manta should have doubled their advantage shortly after, but a Ledesma effort was cancelled by VAR in the 28th minute. The visitors grew frustrated, collecting three yellow cards by half-time while Manta's Nazareno and Moscarelli also went off the pitch for bookings.
Barcelona dominated territory but created nothing of note. The statistics tell the story: 118 attacks compared to 74, 22 crosses against 12, yet zero big chances. Manta were more efficient, registering two big chances and converting one of two on target inside the box. Barcelona managed two shots on target from eight attempts, all from outside the area, while Manta hit the target four times from ten attempts.
The second goal arrived in the 72nd minute through J. Angulo, putting the game beyond doubt. Manta then adjusted their setup, bringing on Wila in the 80th minute and protecting the lead. Barcelona pressed late but could not find a route through a defense that made 32 clearances and won 17 aerial duels to match their opponents.
The result does little to move Manta from 16th, but it ends a run of poor form that included losses to Universidad Catolica and Leon del Norte. Barcelona remain sixth but have now failed to score in two consecutive league matches, including this one. The gap between them and the bottom half narrows in spirit if not in points.