Emelec will host Barcelona SC on Sunday, July 12, at the George Capwell in a new Clásico del Astillero for date 18 of Liga Ecuabet 2026, with kickoff set for 18:10. The match can be watched on Zapping.
For Cristian Nasuti, the game arrives after a 1-1 away draw with Delfín that left Emelec in ninth place with 23 points, still chasing ground in the race toward the hexagonal final. Barcelona SC arrives in a stronger position after beating Deportivo Cuenca 2-0 at the Banco Pichincha and climbing back to second place, while Independiente del Valle leads with 40 points.
The first Clásico del Astillero of the season already went Barcelona SC’s way, 1-0, with Darío Benedetto scoring the decisive goal. That result adds weight to a home match in which Emelec needs points and Barcelona SC wants to keep pressure on the top of the table, but the visitors’ squad picture is not fully clear yet.
Barcelona SC brought in Erick Mendoza and José Luis Angulo during the break, yet both remain tied to whether the club can lift an active FIFA sanction that affects their registration. Emelec, meanwhile, has announced Ibrahim Cuero and David Saya, and Nasuti must prepare for a rivalry match that could change the shape of the standings without knowing whether those Barcelona SC additions will be available.
What is fixed is the schedule. The Clásico del Astillero starts at 18:10, and by Sunday night Emelec will either have taken a step toward the hexagonal final or watched Barcelona SC strengthen its hold on second place. The unresolved part is whether Mendoza and Angulo can be cleared in time to matter at all.
