CD Universidad Católica suffered a shock home defeat as Mushuc Runa staged a dramatic second‑half comeback to win 3‑2 at the Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado in a thrilling LigaPro Serie A encounter on 7 July 2026.

The match, which kicked off at 05:30 local time, saw the hosts race into a two‑goal lead inside the first 20 minutes. But a resilient Mushuc Runa side responded with three unanswered goals before the hour mark to snatch all three points and leave the home fans stunned.

Match Overview

Universidad Católica entered the fixture in strong form, riding high in the upper half of the league table and comfortable on home soil. Coach’s game plan began perfectly when they pushed forward from the first whistle. Goals from Facundo Martínez (9’) and Kevin Rodríguez (18’) gave the hosts a seemingly comfortable 2‑0 lead. The first was a well‑worked set‑piece header, the second a clinical breakaway finish.

Mushuc Runa, however, showed great character. They had struggled away from home earlier in the season but had been steadily improving. A tactical switch after the half‑hour mark saw them sit deeper and invite pressure, then hit on the counter. Just before halftime, Juan Villacrés pulled one back with a powerful strike from the edge of the box to make it 2‑1 at the break.

Second‑Half Recovery

The momentum had clearly shifted. Universidad Católica came out flat after the interval, while Mushuc Runa grew in confidence. In the 54th minute, Jhonny Quiñónez headed home from a corner to level the score. The equaliser visibly rattled the home side, whose passing became sloppy under pressure.

The decisive moment arrived in the 68th minute. A rapid counter‑attack down the right flank ended with a low cross that Ángel Gracia turned into the net from close range. Mushuc Runa had turned the game on its head – from 2‑0 down to 3‑2 up in just over 30 minutes of playing time.

Standout Performers

• Juan Villacrés (Mushuc Runa) – Scored the crucial goal just before halftime that sparked the comeback. His movement and finishing were a constant threat.
• Ángel Gracia (Mushuc Runa) – Capped a tireless running display with the winning goal. His speed on the break stretched the home defence throughout the second period.
• Kevin Rodríguez (CD Universidad Católica) – Despite playing for the losing side, he was a bright spark going forward and scored a fine individual goal early on.

Tactical Story

Universidad Católica dominated possession for long stretches, particularly in the first 25 minutes, but the narrow 4‑4‑2 shape left them exposed when they lost the ball. Mushuc Runa manager unleashed a compact 4‑5‑1 formation after half‑time, packing the midfield and forcing the home side into wide areas where crosses were easily dealt with.

The visitors’ resolve in defence and precision on the break proved decisive. They managed only 38% possession but generated four big chances and converted three of them. In contrast, Católica had 11 shots but struggled to regain their rhythm after the equaliser.

Impact on the Table

This victory lifted Mushuc Runa into the top six of the LigaPro Serie A table, strengthening their push for a continental qualification spot. For Universidad Católica, it was a missed opportunity to close the gap on the league leaders, leaving them in fourth place, now five points behind the summit with a game in hand.

The result also underlined the ever‑increasing competitiveness of Ecuadorian football, where no lead is safe and any team can beat another on a given day.