LDU Quito host Always Ready at the Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado on 26 May 2026 in the Copa Libertadores 2026 Group G finale, with the table essentially settled. Mirassol claimed top spot on 12 points and are through, LDU Quito sit second on nine and are also through, Lanús linger on six with nothing left to play for, Always Ready are already eliminated on three. There is not much on the line mathematically but that is precisely what makes it interesting: the Bolivians come in with nothing to lose, while LDU must balance the desire to win against the sensible instinct to protect players ahead of the knockouts. The first leg finished 1-0 to LDU through Gabriel Villamil's stoppage time strike up in El Alto, a result that gives Always Ready something to chase even if their chances on the road remain slim.
Tiago Nunes took charge of LDU Quito in June 2025 and has built a side that is hard to break down and dangerous from dead ball situations. Julio César Baldivieso's Always Ready are better suited to Bolivian conditions than to the 2,800 metre altitude of Quito and there is limited head to head data between the two managers in the public domain. LDU Quito's Libertadores form over the past five matches reads WWLLW: a win over Always Ready away, a home win against Mirassol, back to back losses at Lanús and Mirassol, then a home win over Lanús. They are WLWWWD across all competitions, dropping points only in a domestic draw against Cuenca, whereas Always Ready have managed just one group stage win from five and have looked unconvincing in domestic play too.
LDU are without Luis Segovia, suspended after three yellow cards and Richard Mina remains injured alongside Janner Corozo, who has been out since mid April. Fernando Cornejo and José Quintero are both carrying concerns (calf and muscle respectively) that could affect selection further. Gonzalo Valle should start in goal behind a back line adjusted for Segovia's absence, with Villamil, Pretell and Minda in midfield and Deyverson or Rodney Redes leading the line. Always Ready have no significant injury or suspension concerns and should field a full strength side: Baroja in goal, a back line of Suárez, Rambal or Gómez and Hurtado, Cuéllar in midfield and either Triverio or Saucedo up front.
LDU are compact and disciplined under Nunes and Villamil is the one to watch, having already scored the only goal between these sides this group stage. Minda and Pretell are the axis through the middle and their battle against Cuéllar and Lima will likely determine how freely Always Ready can build. The visitors will look to test LDU's makeshift back line, leaving Triverio to punish any defensive slip. LDU have won two of the last three meetings, with one defeat, though even the first leg win was narrower than it sounds, decided in stoppage time against opponents who had been competitive throughout. The visitors' record away from home and at altitude is poor and there is no objective reason for confidence here, though teams that are already eliminated have a habit of being annoyingly difficult to beat.
The match takes place at the Rodrigo Paz Delgado (capacity 41,575) with Chilean referee F. Vejar officiating and kick off at around 5:00 PM local time. LDU Quito are priced at around 1.36, short enough to suggest the market considers an upset genuinely unlikely and that assessment is hard to argue with on the surface.
The prediction is 1-2 Always Ready, which is admittedly a bold call. On paper LDU are better organised, already through and intent on managing minutes before the round of 16 and they are at home. But their back line is patchy right now and Always Ready get to play loose with the freedom that comes from having nothing to lose. If they score first, an LDU side that has already punched its ticket may not have the urgency to fight back at full throttle and that is a genuine path to an upset.
Ryan Baldi
Football Writer
Ryan Baldi is a professional football writer with years of experience and has been featured by respected outlets such as the BBC, The Guardian, Sky Sports, DAZN, FourFourTwo, ESPN, Yahoo Sport and Football365. He has also written several books including Arsène Who?.
