SANTO DOMINGO, Ecuador (Interstat) — EL Nacional scored five goals and beat 22 de Julio 5-2 at Estadio Olímpico Etho Vega Baquero in a competition match that produced seven goals. The visitors scored twice early and then answered each host response with another goal to secure the result. EL Nacional improved to one win and two losses in the competition and one win and two losses across all competitions. The home side moved to no wins, two losses and one draw in the competition and no wins, two losses and one draw across all competitions.

EL Nacional opened the scoring in the 37th minute. The visitors added a second goal in the 39th minute. The home side cut the deficit in the 42nd minute. EL Nacional responded in the 47th minute to restore a two-goal advantage. The visitors scored again in the 78th minute. The home side answered in the 80th minute. EL Nacional completed the scoring in the 84th minute.

The first half ended with EL Nacional ahead 2-1 after the early two-goal burst and the hosts’ response just before the break. The visitors stretched the lead again two minutes after halftime, then added another goal in the 78th minute. The home side kept pressing and found a second goal two minutes later, but EL Nacional closed the door with a final strike in the 84th minute. The seven-goal match featured goals in the 37th, 39th, 42nd, 47th, 78th, 80th and 84th minutes.

EL Nacional entered the match after a 3-2 loss at LDU Portoviejo and a 3-0 home loss to Cumbaya. The visitors had a loss and a draw before the trip to Santo Domingo. The home team entered after a 4-2 loss at Gualaceo and a 2-2 draw at LDU Portoviejo. The hosts had not won in their first two competition matches of the season, while EL Nacional had lost its first two competition matches before the victory. The home team remained without a win in the competition, while EL Nacional collected its first victory of the season in this competition and across all competitions.

The match at Estadio Olímpico Etho Vega Baquero featured EL Nacional’s quick scoring. The visitors scored twice in a two-minute span in the first half and then added a third goal shortly after the restart. The home side twice cut the deficit, but each time EL Nacional had an answer. The final goal in the 84th minute ended any chance of a late comeback.

EL Nacional’s competition record now stands at one win and two losses. Its overall record is also one win and two losses. The home team’s competition record is no wins, two losses and one draw. Its overall record is also no wins, two losses and one draw. The home side has one draw and two losses in all competitions, while EL Nacional has one victory and two defeats.

The visitors scored five goals, with two before halftime and three after the break. The home side’s two goals kept the match within reach for stretches, but EL Nacional repeatedly restored a cushion. The result gave EL Nacional its first win of the season in the competition and across all competitions. The home side remained winless in the competition and across all competitions. EL Nacional’s victory also came after previous losses to LDU Portoviejo and Cumbaya. The home side’s winless start continued after earlier results against Gualaceo and LDU Portoviejo.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of 22 de Julio 1, EL Nacional 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected EL Nacional with a 58.4 percent probability to win.