The visit to the Casa Blanca stadium ended in frustration for Sao Paulo, who fell 2-0 to Liga de Quito in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals. Goals from Bryan Ramírez and Michael Estrada gave the Ecuadorian side a valuable cushion heading into the return leg, set for September 25 at the Morumbi.

Liga strikes at the right moments

The team led by Hernán Crespo started with intensity and had the first chances. In the 7th minute, Venezuelan Nahuel Ferraresi came close to scoring after an assist from Enzo Díaz, while Emiliano Rigoni was also active in attack. However, the finishing belonged to the home side.

In the 14th minute, a through ball from Uruguayan Gian Franco Allala split the Paulista defense and allowed Ramírez to finish past goalkeeper Rafael, making it 1-0. That goal changed the tone of the match and forced Sao Paulo to chase the game.

Estrada seals it and complicates Crespo’s plans

In the second half, Sao Paulo tried to take control but lacked clarity in the final third. Liga de Quito, managed by Brazilian Tiago Nunes, played with intelligence: defending in an organized manner, slowing the tempo, and waiting for their chance.

The clincher came in the 78th minute, when Michael Estrada, just seven minutes after coming on, capitalized on a defensive error to score the definitive 2-0. With this result, the Ecuadorians travel to Brazil with a significant advantage and the hope of returning to the continental semifinals.

Everything to be decided at the Morumbi

The defeat leaves Sao Paulo needing a comeback at home, something that won’t be easy against a Liga de Quito side that showed solidity and struck at key moments. For Crespo, the challenge will be reorganizing a vulnerable defense and finding attacking options that can spark hopes of a historic comeback at the Morumbi.

For now, the tie favors the Ecuadorian side, who confidently made their home advantage count in Quito and left one of the continent’s most storied clubs on the ropes.