A penalty broke the tie in the marker between Delfin and Guayaquil City

Delfin and Guayaquil City had an evenly matched game tonight at the Jocay stadium in Manta, without a clear dominator, but the home team came out victorious, winning 1-0 with a goal from Carlos Garces.

Guayaquil City had the first chance to score at 4 minutes when Pablo Mancilla sent a long-range cross that was received by Michael Hoyos in the area. The American-Argentine player controlled the ball with his left foot, but it passed in front of the goal line without anyone pushing it into the net.

The home team took longer to generate danger. Only at 44 minutes, Andres Chicaiza managed to send a pass to Carlos Garces, behind the visiting defenders. When the Ecuadorian forward was about to shoot, he found goalkeeper Damian Frascarelli blocking the space and stopping the shot.

In the second half, the performance of both teams remained even. Delfin tried to open the scoring, but was imprecise in front of the opposition's goal. Thus, at 48 minutes, Henrry Patta took a rebound in the City's area but hit it very badly and the ball went wide.

Guayaquil City responded at 56 minutes when they took advantage of a bad Delfin clearance and made a play between Hoyos, Walter Ayovi, and Diego Dorregaray. Dorregaray's shot was more about placement than power, allowing goalkeeper Pedro Ortiz to save.

At 60 minutes, Chicaiza once again lifted the ball behind the defenders and left Patta face to face with goalkeeper Frascarelli, but the referee ruled that he was in an offside position.

Delfin players celebrating Garces' goal against Guayaquil City.

Six minutes later, the same protagonists and a similar action. Chicaiza combined with Patta, this time low but still behind the defenders. Second Portocarrero fouled him in the area and the referee awarded a penalty. Garces took the penalty shot and scored.

Guayaquil City in trouble at the bottom

Delfin's ninth victory in this tournament allows them to reach 28 points and be in fifth place, challenging Emelec, who currently has only 2 more points than the cetaceans but has to play against Universidad Catolica on Sunday at the Capwell stadium (18:00).

Guayaquil City suffered their ninth defeat and remained in tenth place with 15 points, at the mercy of Técnico Universitario (who lost 0-1 against Liga de Quito on Friday) and Deportivo Cuenca (who will visit Independiente on Monday), both teams only 3 points away from reaching the albicelestes from the main port.

Check the league standings of the Ecuadorian Football Championship here.

In the next matchday, number 19, Delfin will visit Barcelona, while Guayaquil City will play at home against Independiente. (D)