In a dramatic twist at Bogotá’s Estadio El Campín on October 8, 2025, Millonarios FC staged an impressive late comeback to defeat América de Cali 2-1, reigniting their hopes in the Liga BetPlay II-2025. The capital club, trailing after a goal from Jan Lucumí early in the second half, found new life through Dewar Victoria’s strike and a decisive penalty from Leonardo Castro, capitalizing on América’s costly errors and a tense VAR-laden first half.
The match began with both sides struggling to carve out clear chances, a testament to the nerves and high stakes at this stage of the league. Fans, anxious for a spark, saw the first half dominated not by goals but by the intervention of technology. At the 27th minute, referee Wilmar Roldán pointed to the spot for an América penalty after a suspected handball by Jorge Arias. However, after a lengthy VAR review, the decision was overturned—no handball, no penalty. Not long after, Millonarios believed they’d earned a spot kick when Leonardo Castro went down in the box, but once again, VAR came to the rescue of the defense. Roldán not only revoked the penalty but also showed Castro a yellow card for simulation, sending ripples of disbelief through the stands.
“VAR was absolutely decisive tonight,” said a commentator on Win Play. “Both teams could have been ahead going into the break, but technology kept the scores level.”
With the score sheet untroubled at halftime, the pressure mounted. América de Cali, desperate for a result to keep their postseason dreams alive, came out firing in the second half. Their efforts paid off in the 48th minute. A slick team move ended with Jan Lucumí finishing confidently, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead and sending the traveling supporters into a frenzy. It was a blow to Millonarios, who momentarily looked stunned and struggled to find their rhythm. Defensive lapses nearly cost them again, as América pressed for a second.
But Millonarios, playing in front of their home fans, refused to fold. The match’s turning point arrived in the 74th minute. Dewar Victoria, who had been relatively quiet, unleashed a powerful drive from distance. The ball slipped through the legs of América’s goalkeeper Joel Graterol—a moment he’ll want to forget. Suddenly, the match was level, and the blue half of Bogotá roared back to life. “That goal gave us the belief we needed,” said a jubilant Millonarios supporter after the game.
The momentum had shifted, and Millonarios pressed relentlessly for a winner. América, perhaps feeling the weight of the occasion, began to crack under pressure. With just two minutes left in regulation, disaster struck for the visitors. Daniel Bocanegra, attempting to clear a cross, handled the ball inside the area. The referee, without hesitation, pointed to the spot. This time, there was no VAR reprieve. Leonardo Castro, who had been denied earlier and booked for simulation, stepped up with nerves of steel. He sent Graterol the wrong way, ending his own goal drought and sealing a massive three points for Millonarios.
“It was a huge relief to score again and help the team,” said Castro, beaming after the match. “We never stopped believing, even when things looked tough.”
The 2-1 result was a gut punch for América de Cali, who had started the night with ambitions of climbing back into the top eight. Instead, two costly mistakes—first by Graterol on Victoria’s equalizer, then by Bocanegra’s handball—turned potential victory into bitter defeat. According to Win Play’s post-match analysis, “América lost their classic in Bogotá due to two individual errors. With this result, they remain six points behind the eighth spot, with six matches left. It’s a mountain to climb.”
The defeat leaves América de Cali languishing in 15th place on 14 points, six points adrift of eighth with only six games remaining. The math for a quarterfinal berth is daunting: América must collect at least 14 of the remaining 18 points—essentially winning five of their last six matches, or four wins and two draws—to reach the magic number of 30 points. Anything less, and their fate will depend on the stumbles of rivals above them.
América’s remaining fixtures offer little respite: they face La Equidad, Deportivo Cali, Junior, Boyacá Chicó, Unión Magdalena, and Independiente Medellín. “It’s almost a miracle scenario,” wrote a columnist for Win Play. “América will need to be nearly perfect from here on out.”
Meanwhile, Millonarios’ victory breathes new life into their campaign. With 17 points and a -4 goal difference after 14 matches, they sit 12th in the standings—still outside the coveted top eight, but within striking distance as the season enters its final stretch. The three points snapped a difficult run and restored belief among the squad and supporters alike.
At the summit of the Liga BetPlay II-2025, Atlético Bucaramanga continue to surprise, leading the table with 27 points and a +11 goal difference after 14 matches. Junior FC and Fortaleza CEIF trail closely behind, while heavyweights like Atlético Nacional and Independiente Medellín remain in the hunt. The fight for playoff spots is as fierce as ever, with only a handful of points separating mid-table teams from the top eight and the rest clinging to hopes of a late surge.
The match in Bogotá also highlighted the increasing influence of VAR in Colombian football. Both teams saw crucial penalty decisions overturned in the first half, and the technology’s role in shaping outcomes is now impossible to ignore. While some fans grumble about delays and controversy, others point to the system’s ability to deliver justice—at least most of the time.
For América de Cali, the sting of defeat is compounded by off-field drama. The club recently launched a retro kit honoring their famous tricampeonato era, hoping to inspire a new generation. But social media was quick to pile on after the loss, with some fans urging the team to “make the shirt worthy of respect.” The pressure is on, and with a daunting run-in, América’s season hangs by a thread.
As the dust settles in Bogotá, Millonarios march on, emboldened by a comeback that could prove pivotal in their quest for postseason glory. América, meanwhile, must regroup quickly, knowing that only near-perfection will keep their fading dream alive. With six matches left, the drama in Liga BetPlay II-2025 is far from over—and every point counts more than ever.
