LDU Quito Knocks Out Mirassol on Penalties to Reach Copa Libertadores Quarterfinals

LDU Quito and Mirassol played out a 0-0 draw over 90 minutes at Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado, but the Round of 16 tie in the Copa Libertadores was settled from 12 yards, where the Ecuadorian side prevailed 5-4 in the penalty shootout to advance, eliminating the Brazilian club.

The aggregate score was tied up following the 1-1 draw both teams had played out in the first leg, and tonight's scoreless result sent the tie to the lottery of penalties, a fitting conclusion to just how even the matchup had been.

A Scoreless Battle With Chances at Both Ends

The match had more back and forth than the scoreline suggests. LDU Quito, controlling more of the ball, created the first clear look with a long-range effort from Sebastian Gonzalez early on, and in the 21st minute Michael Estrada, set up by Jose Carabali, tested the visiting defense with a shot that sailed just over the bar. Mirassol answered through Shaylon and Victor Luis, both of whom fired shots from outside the box that grazed the post.

The home side had a golden chance in the 49th minute, when Janner Corozo headed a Fernando Cornejo cross from point-blank range, but the ball drifted just wide before the break. In the second half, the Brazilian club grew into the game with the introduction of Neto Moura and attempts from Denilson, Gabriel Knesowitsch and Alesson that kept LDU Quito's defense busy, while Michael Estrada had two chances in stoppage time to break the deadlock but could not convert either.

Decided From the Penalty Spot

With the scoreboard unchanged after 90 minutes, everything came down to the shootout. Victor Luis opened the series by missing his attempt for Mirassol, and from there LDU Quito never let go of the advantage: Deyverson, Jesus Pretell and Michael Estrada all converted their shots, while Alesson, Carlos Eduardo and Neto Moura scored theirs for the Brazilian side. It was Gian Franco Allala who sealed the final 5-4 with the home side's fifth attempt, sending LDU Quito through to the next round.

What the Numbers Show

LDU Quito controlled possession and ball circulation, though Mirassol was more effective in creating chances inside the opposing box.

The estimated post-match xG, calculated from the shots taken in the game, slightly favored the home side, with 1.22 against 0.927 for the visitors, a gap that points to a certain edge in chance quality for LDU Quito, though it was not enough to show up on the scoreboard.

What the Preview Had Projected

Before kickoff, the published projection gave LDU Quito a 64% chance of winning, against 12% for Mirassol and 24% for a draw, with expected goals of 1.83 for the home side and 0.67 for the visitors. Reality landed somewhere between those scenarios: there was a draw, as part of that projection anticipated, but the final outcome arrived through a path no percentage can predict, the penalty shootout.

What the Match Leaves Behind

LDU Quito confirms its spot in the next round of the Copa Libertadores after surviving a tightly contested tie against Mirassol, which bows out of the tournament despite having been, in several stretches, the sharper team in open play. The tie will be remembered for how close the aggregate score was and for a resolution decided, once again, on the most unpredictable ground in soccer: the penalty spot.