# El Nacional’s Comeback Bid Falls Short as Deportivo Cuenca Juniors Secure Vital Away Win
**Match Summary**
In a tightly contested Liga Pro Serie B clash at the Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa, Deportivo Cuenca Juniors edged out El Nacional 2-1 in a match defined by a fast start and a resilient defensive finish. The visitors struck twice in the first half-hour, building a lead that ultimately proved insurmountable despite a second-half surge from the home side. The result provides a crucial boost to Cuenca’s campaign while leaving El Nacional to rue missed opportunities in their pursuit of points.
**Key Moments and Match Analysis**
The match’s decisive phase arrived early. Deportivo Cuenca Juniors, showing sharpness from the first whistle, capitalized on a defensive lapse in the 18th minute. A poorly cleared cross fell to midfielder **Jhonny Quiñónez**, who calmly slotted home from inside the box to stun the home crowd.
The visitors doubled their advantage just before the half-hour mark. A swift counter-attack found space on El Nacional’s left flank, and a low cross was turned in by forward **Luis Castillo** for a classic sucker-punch goal. Facing a two-goal deficit, El Nacional coach **Everton Almeida** was forced into tactical adjustments, shifting to a more aggressive 4-3-3 formation.
The change yielded dominance in possession and pressure after the break. The relentless pressure told in the 67th minute when veteran striker **Joffre Escobar** powered in a header from a corner, setting up a grandstand finish. El Nacional laid siege to the Cuenca goal in the final 20 minutes, but the visitors’ defense, marshaled superbly by captain **Roberto Luzárraga**, held firm. Cuenca goalkeeper **Giancarlos Terreros** made two critical saves in stoppage time to preserve the three points.
**Tactical Breakdown**
Deportivo Cuenca Juniors executed a perfect away game plan. Their mid-block in a 4-4-2 formation was compact, inviting El Nacional to possess the ball in non-threatening areas before springing rapid transitions. The first two goals were direct results of this strategy, exploiting El Nacional’s high defensive line early on.
After going behind, El Nacional’s switch to a 4-3-3 provided more width and penetration, but it also left them vulnerable to counters, which Cuenca failed to exploit in the second half. The key battle was in midfield, where Cuenca’s **Quiñónez** disrupted El Nacional’s rhythm, while **Escobar**’s physicality became the focal point of the home side’s attack.
**Standout Player Performances**
* **Deportivo Cuenca Juniors:**
* **Roberto Luzárraga (CB): 8/10** – A commanding, man-of-the-match performance. Organized the backline, made crucial blocks, and was imperious in the air.
* **Jhonny Quiñónez (CM): 7.5/10** – Scored the opener and was the engine in midfield, breaking up play and initiating counters.
* **Giancarlos Terreros (GK): 7/10** – His late saves were worth two points. Confident and secure throughout.
* **El Nacional:**
* **Joffre Escobar (ST): 7/10** – A constant threat, took his goal well, and led the line with purpose. Lacked consistent service.
* **Marlon Mejía (LW): 6.5/10** – The most dangerous creative outlet in the second half, but his final ball was occasionally lacking.
**Implications for the Liga Pro Serie B Standings**
This result creates a significant ripple effect in the **Serie B table**. For **Deportivo Cuenca Juniors**, these three away points are gold, solidifying their position in the upper half of the standings and keeping them firmly in the promotion playoff conversation. The resilience shown will build immense confidence.
For **El Nacional**, it’s a missed opportunity at home. Dropping points in such a manner hinders their ability to climb away from the mid-table pack and increases the pressure to perform in their next fixture. The fight shown in the second half is a positive they must carry forward, but their slow starts are becoming a concerning pattern.
The battle for promotion remains intensely competitive, and victories like this for Cuenca demonstrate the fine margins that will define the season.