Valle claim late thriller at Ibarra
Independiente del Valle came from behind to beat Leonés del Norte 3-2 in a Liga Pro regular season match on Friday night at Estadio Olímpico Ibarra. The visitors took the lead twice in stoppage time to complete a win that keeps them top of the table. Leonés del Norte had led until the final minutes but could not hold on.
J. Anangono opened the scoring in the first minute, a quick strike that caught the hosts' defence off guard. It was a start that set the tone for a game where the home side would rely on moments rather than sustained pressure. By then, Independiente del Valle had already begun to show their intent to take control.
The second half brought a turning point when D. Reasco equalised for the visitors in the 51st minute. Moments later, the same player collected a yellow card, a sign of the intensity building. C. Solano then converted a penalty in the 64th minute to put the visitors ahead for the first time, and from there the match swung in their direction.
There was a moment of drama when A. Rodriguez thought he had restored parity in the 70th minute, but a VAR check ruled the goal out for offside. It was a blow that shifted momentum further towards the visitors, though Leonés del Norte refused to surrender. And here's the thing — the home side created four big chances, the same number as their opponents, yet could only convert one of their two shots on target.
It was stoppage time that decided everything. C. Gonzalez scored in the 90th minute and three minutes later to complete his double, sending the away fans into celebration. The victory extended Independiente del Valle's dominance, while Leonés del Norte saw their title aspirations take another hit. J. Alcivar was sent off in the 91st minute, a late dismissal that added to the chaos.
The statistics tell a familiar story. Independiente del Valle enjoyed 62 per cent possession and doubled the home side's attacks, yet Leonés del Norte were more efficient in front of goal. Both teams created four big chances, but the visitors converted more of their opportunities. The home side's 30 per cent shot accuracy compared to the visitors' 46 per cent shows how clinical they needed to be.
Leonés del Norte sit 10th with 35 points from 27 games, a position that reflects their inconsistent form. They beat Manta 2-0 last weekend but have lost to Aucas and LDU Quito in recent fixtures. Independiente del Valle, meanwhile, remain at the summit with 68 points from 28 matches — 22 wins and just four defeats. They have now won five consecutive games, including victories over Deportivo Cuenca and Deportes Tolima.