Clásico del Astillero, the most representative football match in the country, had its first chapter 80 years ago, when Barcelona and Emelec faced each other for the first time. In 1943, they sowed the seed that bore the fruit of an uncontrolled passion that covered all of Ecuador. Furthermore, 75 years ago EL UNIVERSO christened the duel with an immortal name that gained international resonance and fame.

The two most popular teams in Ecuador met for the first time, for the national championship, 60 years ago (1963). The ardor caused by the yellow and blue colors was already cemented in the legendary sports battles that took place in the amateur era (champions of the Sports Federation of Guayas, until 1950) and when professionalism appeared in the country’s football (with the tournaments of the Guayas Football Association, which began in 1951 ., and ended in 1967).

There were also competitions for the Copa Libertadores, which are part of the legend of the 20th century. The arrival of the new millennium finds the Clásico del Astillero with an unchanging status as a tradition.

So far, 97 matches since 2000, for the national tournament, increase the history of duels, with 32 victories of yellow, 30 of blue and 35 draws. In total, they were measured 232 times in the Ecuadorian competition (74 triumphs in bullfighting, 72 electric and 86 draws). (D)