Strongest took on Universitario de Vinto in the Apertura round 16 of the Primera División and won 4-3 on Thursday night. The visitors had been struggling all season, sitting 15th with just four wins from 18 games, while the hosts occupied third place with 33 points. It was a match that swung from end to end, and the home side held on despite a late scare.
P. Alcocer opened the scoring for his own side at the seventh minute, an own goal that gave Universitario de Vinto a dream start. But M. Chiatti responded at 29' and A. Jara struck twice, at 32' and 45', to put Strongest ahead. Three goals in six minutes and the momentum had shifted.
Three substitutions came at 46' for Universitario de Vinto, then another pair at 58' as D. A. Camacho Almanza and M. Gomez entered. H. Rodriguez pulled one back at 66', and the game opened up again. K. F. Salvatierra Flores scored at 85' to make it 4-3, and Strongest had to see it out.
Strongest held 55% possession and registered eight shots on target, but their defensive work was tested. They made 26 clearances and won 11 aerial duels, while Universitario de Vinto launched 26 crosses and created chances of their own. The visitors had more attacks—77 to 71—but couldn't find a path through when it mattered.
The victory keeps Strongest within touching distance of the top two. Universitario de Vinto remain 15th, with 14 points and no sign of turning things around. By then, this was a result that fit neither side's recent form, and that is what makes these games unpredictable.