AMBATO, Ecuador (Interstat) — Macara opened its Liga Pro season with a 2-0 victory over El Nacional on Sunday, defying a statistical projection that forecast a draw.

After a first half defined by three yellow cards and a red card shown to El Nacional’s Jordán Congo in the 24th minute, Macara broke through in the second half. Midfielder Stefano Viera opened the scoring in the 62nd minute before defender Nahuel Arena sealed the win with a goal in the 79th minute.

The result gives Macara a winning start to the domestic campaign, while El Nacional begins with a loss.