Barcelona SC welcomed El Nacional to the Estadio Monumental Banco Pichincha on February 26, 2025, for the decisive second leg of their Copa Libertadores preliminary phase matchup.
Having secured a narrow 1-0 victory away at Quito previously, Barcelona SC aimed to maintain momentum as they sought qualification for the next phase of the tournament. The stakes were high; the winner would not only advance but also earn USD 600,000.
From the outset, Barcelona appeared to be assertive. Unfortunately, just nine minutes in, they faced the setback of losing defender Mario Pineida to a red card after obstructing Jawer Guisamano on what looked to be a clear scoring opportunity for El Nacional. This early departure left the home team at a significant disadvantage.
Despite being down to ten men, Barcelona SC managed to capitalize on their chances. After 30 minutes of intense back-and-forth play, the pressure led to El Nacional's Charles Vélez committing a foul within the area, prompting the referee, after consulting VAR, to award Barcelona SC with what seemed to be a golden opportunity: a penalty.
Octavio Rivero stepped up to take the penalty, but his effort was thwarted by El Nacional's goalkeeper, David Cabezas, who not only saved the shot but kept the game scoreless creative moments on both sides. The tension heightened with tempers flaring as both teams battled for field control, but neither could find the back of the net before halftime.
Just before the break, El Nacional seized their opportunity for redemption. Following another handball, Ángel Ledesma stood over the penalty and made no mistake, leveling the aggregate score at 1-1.
Both teams returned for the second half with heightened urgency. Barcelona SC, needing to regain momentum, adjusted their strategy by bringing on Xavier Arreaga, focusing on solidifying their defense to weather El Nacional’s flurry of attacks.
Fortunately for Barcelona supporters, their team showed resilience. Janner Corozo's exceptional play created space, and he delivered the ball perfectly to Rivero, who netted the equalizer at the 68th minute. This goal propelled Barcelona SC back to 2-1 on aggregate, edging them closer to qualification.
El Nacional, desperate to respond, continued to press forward. Despite fierce attempts to break through Barcelona’s defense, the visitors found themselves frustrated as time began to dwindle.
Both coaches were vocal on the sidelines. Segundo Alejandro Castillo of Barcelona SC, after the red card incident, emphasized defensive organization and concentration. Meanwhile, El Nacional's Omar Асад remained determined, assembling his starting eleven with all the firepower he could muster. His team needed just one goal to force penalties—or two to win outright.
The match duration intensified with every minute. Fans from both sides were on edge, knowing their cherished teams were one step away from securing the coveted berth to the group stage of the Copa Libertadores.
Eventually, Barcelona SC’s ability to hold off El Nacional's relentless waves of attack became evident. The final whistle blew amid euphoric cheers erupting from the Monumental. Barcelona had clinched their place for the next stage of the Copa Libertadores, concluding with the scoreline of 1-1 for the match and 2-1 on aggregate.
This match not only highlighted the fierce rivalry between two of Ecuador’s most storied clubs but also illustrated the unpredictable nature of football. With contrasting fortunes, Barcelona SC now moves on to face either Corinthians from Brazil or Universidad Central from Venezuela, marking another chapter in their Libertadores tale.
The result served as both triumph and disappointment; Barcelona SC's success was tangible, yet El Nacional's efforts signified their struggle for form within national tournaments. Regardless, both teams remain integral parts of Ecuadorian football history, boasting 31 national titles collectively and showcasing talent and determination every time they contest on the pitch.