Astilleros produced a composed away performance to knock Daquilema FC out of the Copa Ecuador with a convincing 2-0 victory at the Estadio Daquilema on Friday night. The result, sealed by two well-taken goals in the second half, underlined the visitors' clinical edge and sent a clear message to the rest of the competition.

Match Overview

From the opening whistle, Daquilema FC looked to impose themselves on home turf, pressing high and forcing Astilleros into early defensive work. The hosts enjoyed the lion's share of possession in the first half, but their efforts lacked a cutting edge in the final third. Astilleros, by contrast, remained patient, absorbing pressure and looking dangerous on the break.

The deadlock was broken just after the hour mark when Astilleros forward Mateo Salazar latched onto a lofted through-ball and finished calmly past the Daquilema goalkeeper. The goal shifted the momentum completely, and the visitors doubled their lead ten minutes later through a powerful header from defender Andrés Quiñónez following a well-worked corner routine.

Key Moments

• 63' – Goal: Salazar's composed strike gives Astilleros the lead against the run of play.
• 73' – Goal: Quiñónez rises highest to meet a corner and power home the second.
• 81' – Save: Astilleros' goalkeeper, Dylan Vera, denies Daquilema's last hopes with a sharp reflex stop.

Tactical Story

Daquilema FC set up with an aggressive midfield press, looking to force turnovers high up the pitch. For much of the first period, that approach worked well, but Astilleros gradually found space in wide areas. The visitors' disciplined low block and quick transitions proved decisive, with both goals arriving from moments of defensive compactness morphing into rapid forward movement.

Astilleros' game plan appeared tailor-made for cup football: stay solid, stay patient, and punish mistakes. Daquilema's inability to convert early chances ultimately proved costly, as the hosts never looked like recovering once the second goal went in.

Standout Players

Mateo Salazar was the clear match-winner in attack, constantly stretching the backline and producing the crucial opening goal. At the other end, Dylan Vera marshalled his penalty area with authority, making several key saves and commanding crosses with confidence. For Daquilema, midfielder Kevin Caicedo worked tirelessly in the middle but lacked support in the final third.

Season Impact

With this result, Astilleros advance to the next round of the Copa Ecuador, adding another chapter to their promising cup run. Daquilema FC, meanwhile, exit the tournament with heads held high after a spirited performance, but they will rue a night of missed opportunities in front of their own supporters.

For the neutral observer, this was a classic cup tie – a game defined by tactical discipline and moments of individual quality. Astilleros will now await the draw for the next phase, carrying the confidence of a professional away display into the business end of the competition.