Paris Saint-Germain remain in the hunt for their long-awaited Champions League title after an intense and emotional series against Aston Villa, but the night also marked a historic moment for Ecuadorian football. Center-back William Pacho, a starter in Luis Enrique’s lineup, has become the third Ecuadorian player to reach the semifinals of Europe’s top club competition.

At just 23 years old, the defender from Quinindé joins an exclusive list alongside Antonio Valencia and Pervis Estupiñán, who previously made it this far with Manchester United and Villarreal, respectively.

Despite a 3-2 loss in the return leg in England, PSG secured their spot in the next round thanks to a 3-1 win in the first leg played in Paris. Pacho had a rough start, as the opening goal for Aston Villa came after the ball deflected off his body. However, the Ecuadorian defender responded with poise and delivered a solid performance when it mattered most to help seal the team’s qualification.

Ecuador Continues to Make Strides in European Football

With this achievement, William Pacho joins a journey that began in the 2010-2011 season, when Antonio Valencia played a vital role in helping Manchester United reach the final at Wembley. That edition ended with Barcelona, led by Guardiola and Messi, lifting the trophy, but it marked a turning point for Ecuadorian players in Europe.

Over a decade later, Pervis Estupiñán followed suit, shining for Villarreal in their stunning run to the 2022 semifinals, where they knocked out Bayern Munich before falling to Liverpool. Now, Pacho takes the baton and dreams of going one step further—becoming the first Ecuadorian to play in a Champions League final.

The opponent in the semifinal is yet to be decided, but what’s certain is that Ecuador will once again be represented among Europe’s top four clubs. And they’ll be represented by a young, steady defender who continues to grow at the highest level.

History has been made—but William Pacho is determined to keep writing more golden chapters for Ecuadorian football.