Guayas edged past Cumbayá with a 1-0 win in the Relegation Group stage of the Liga Pro Serie B on Wednesday. To be fair, the game lacked the fluidity one might expect, settling into a wary rhythm early on.
The decisive moment arrived late, when a goal was registered in the 67th minute to break the deadlock. It was a quiet intervention, not a thunderous strike, but it proved sufficient to separate the two neighbours. And here's the thing, despite Cumbayá having more shots on target (three), they failed to convert their opportunities before the visitors struck. The hosts looked more dangerous in the box, yet the visitors found a way through when it counted.
The statistics paint a picture of a balanced but disjointed affair. Cumbayá held 49 per cent of possession while Guayas managed 51, yet the hosts managed only three corners compared to the visitors' eight. Shots off target were higher for Guayas (eight) than for Cumbayá (five), suggesting a lack of precision in the final third from both camps.
By then, the table reflected the narrow margin between the two sides. The three-point gap remains tight, but the visitors have shown they can climb away from the pack when it matters.
Guayas arrive in this fixture riding a wave of confidence after three consecutive 3-0 victories. Their recent form includes wins against 22 de Julio and El Nacional, contrasting sharply with Cumbayá's struggles. The hosts have lost two of their last three matches, including a heavy 3-0 defeat to Atlético and a 1-2 loss to Santo Domingo. The disparity in confidence levels was evident in the way Guayas controlled the tempo.
The outcome leaves Cumbayá needing to find answers quickly if they wish to close the three-point gap. The standings offer little comfort for the hosts, who sit in 10th place with 26 points. For now, Guayas have taken the points and moved a step closer to safety.