Independiente del Valle draws 2-2 with Católica, missing out on 12-win streak record

They were up two goals with the record within reach, and in just 11 minutes it all slipped away. Independiente del Valle drew 2-2 with Universidad Católica this Saturday at the Estadio Banco Guayaquil, in matchday 27 of the Liga Ecuabet, falling one step short of writing a new chapter in Ecuadorian soccer.

The league leader arrived with a chance to notch its 12th straight win in the domestic competition, something no team had achieved since El Nacional set the mark of 11 consecutive victories back in 1976. The Rayados had matched that number after beating Leones del Norte in the previous round, so the match against Trencito Azul carried extra weight: it wasn't just about collecting three points, it was about making history.

The match opened evenly, with Independiente probing down the left through Juan Riquelme Angulo and Djorkaeff Reasco, though their first shot missed the mark. Católica answered with waves of attacks, driven by the sharp passing of Emiliano Clavijo, who came close to setting up José Fajardo and Azarías Londoño. Nothing got past the goal of Aldair Quintana, who came through that stretch unscathed.

As the first half wound down, Independiente had its best chances: a long-range strike from Matías Perelló that Johan Lara tipped away, and a curling shot from John Espinoza that clipped the post, with Reasco unable to bury the rebound. It stayed 0-0 at the break, but a goal seemed to be on its way.

Four goals in eleven minutes

And it arrived, right as the second half began. In the 6th minute, Ronald Briones opened the scoring with a brilliant goal set up by Angulo. Five minutes later, Briones himself doubled the lead with a curling shot, and everything appeared to be falling into place for the leader.

But Católica refused to give in. With Mauro Díaz pulling the strings, Trencito Azul flipped the script in the span of just one minute: he set up Mauricio Alonso's goal (61') and then Azarías Londoño's (62'), leveling the score at 2-2.

After that whirlwind of four goals, the match settled into a more cautious rhythm. Joaquín Papa turned to his bench, bringing on Junior Sornoza, Áron Rodríguez and Hugo Quintana, but the winning goal never came for either side.

The draw leaves Independiente del Valle sharing the record rather than owning it outright, and now facing the task of starting a new streak if it wants the mark to itself. Still, the unbeaten run across all competitions remains intact at 17 matches without a loss. In the domestic league, this was only the club's second draw of the season, following a 2-2 with Aucas in matchday 2, and for now the Rayados continue to hold their lead atop the standings.