QUITO, Ecuador (Interstat) — CD Macara delivered a commanding performance Sunday, defeating rivals Club Sport Emelec 3-0 in a Liga Pro match at Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa that was decisively tilted by a first-half red card.

The highly anticipated clash between the Ecuadorian clubs was projected to be a tight affair, with Interstat’s game simulator forecasting a 1-1 draw and its ELO system giving Macara a narrow 50.60 percent probability to win. Instead, the home side capitalized on a numerical advantage for most of the match to secure a comprehensive victory.

The game’s pivotal moment arrived in the 37th minute when Emelec’s Diogo Osmar Bagüí was shown a straight red card, forcing the visitors to play a man down for the remainder of the contest. Macara, sensing the opportunity, quickly seized control.

The breakthrough came just before halftime. Midfielder Federico Paz found the back of the net, giving Macara a 1-0 lead heading into the break. The goal was a critical blow, deflating an Emelec squad already facing a significant challenge.

Macara continued to press its advantage in the second half, effectively putting the game out of reach in the 63rd minute. Midfielder Ángel Ledesma doubled the home side’s lead, solidifying their command of the match.

The victory was sealed in the 79th minute by midfielder Janpol Morales, who netted Macara’s third goal to complete the rout. The offensive effort was a collaborative one, with assists provided by substitutes Luis Fernando León and Washington Corozo, as well as midfielder Martín Tello.

The match was a physical one, with three yellow cards issued by the officiating crew. Corozo was booked in the 44th minute, followed by Tello in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time. León received a caution in the 74th minute.

The result provides a perfect start to the domestic season for Macara, which begins its Liga Pro campaign with one win and zero losses. The club’s overall record across all competitions also improves to one win and zero losses. For Emelec, the loss is a disappointing start, leaving them with a record of zero wins and one loss in the Liga Pro and an identical zero-win, one-loss record in all competitions.

The emphatic win for Macara, defying pregame projections, sends a strong message to the league and establishes early momentum as they look to build on this performance. Emelec, meanwhile, is left to regroup after a match where a key disciplinary lapse led to a one-sided defeat.