Ecuador Serie A wrap: Mina helps Barcelona stay clear

Leaders Barcelona maintained their five-point advantage atop Ecuador’s Serie A with a 3-1 victory over El Nacional.

Narciso Mina netted a double in a match that saw both sides reduced to 10 men.

The Ecuadorian striker opened the scoring on 14 minutes before Jose Amaya made it two with a 25th-minute strike.

Dario Bone pulled a goal back within seconds of the restart but El Nacional’s hopes of salvaging a draw received a blow when Ricardo Mendoza saw red just after the hour-mark.

Mina completed the scoring with a wonderful back-heel on 81 minutes before the hosts were also reduced to 10-men following Carlos Gruezo’s second yellow card in six minutes.

Barcelona are five points clear at the summit after Emelec claimed a narrow 1-0 win against Manta.

Emelec, who suffered a thumping 5-0 defeat at the hands of Barcelona, returned to winning ways thanks to Enner Valencia’s 15th-minute goal.

Meanwhile, Deportivo Quito extended their unbeaten streak to eight games with a routine 2-0 win at home to Independiente.

Despite Alex Bolanos seeing red inside the opening half-hour, Quito proved too strong courtesy of a Luis Congo brace.