In a tense match filled with heated moments and controversial decisions, Deportivo Cali and América de Cali fought to a 1-1 draw in the 10th round of the Liga Betplay 2025-I on March 24, 2025. The match unfolded at the Estadio Deportivo Cali in Palmaseca, where the stakes were high for both teams.
The home side, Deportivo Cali, came into the match eager to improve their position in the league standings, having drawn their previous three matches. Under the guidance of coach Alfredo Arias, they fielded a strong lineup including Alejandro Rodríguez in goal, with a defense featuring Fabián Viáfara, Juan Quintero, José Caldera, and Yulián Gómez. The midfield comprised Jean Carlos Colorado, Víctor Mejía, Jarlan Barrera, and Andrey Estupiñán, while Emiliano Rodríguez led the attack.
América de Cali, managed by Jorge Da Silva, was keen on securing a victory to remain competitive in the upper echelons of the table. They launched their attack with Jorge Soto in goal and a defensive lineup of Yerson Candelo, Jean Pestaña, Brayan Medina, and Marcos Mina. The midfield included Éder Álvarez, Rafael Carrascal, Cristian Barrios, with Sebastián Navarro and Duván Vergara supporting Rodrigo Holgado in the front.
The match kicked off dramatically as América de Cali took the lead just five minutes in. Sebastián Navarro capitalized on a long goal kick from goalkeeper Jorge Soto, which reached him perfectly. Navarro skillfully maneuvered past defenders, striking a precise shot that found the back of the net, putting América ahead 1-0.
Following this early goal, América maintained pressure, and a disallowed goal from Éder Álvarez due to a ruled foul left them frustrated just before halftime. Despite their dominance, they couldn’t extend their lead, going into the break just one goal up.
The second half saw Deportivo Cali come alive, spurred on by their home fans. Tensions rose as two crucial calls were made by the referee Wílmar Roldán. The first was a controversial non-call on a significant foul by Jean Colorado on Éder Álvarez Balanta, leaving América visibly aggrieved. The VAR review also saw the disqualification of a potential second goal for América, which further inflamed the local supporters.
As the match progressed, Deportivo Cali found their rhythm, culminating in a penalty awarded in the 73rd minute when Andrey Estupiñán was fouled in the area by Balanta. Estupiñán himself stepped up to take the penalty, converting it with finesse to level the score at 1-1.
Despite the established equilibrium, both teams continued to vie for a decisive goal. Duván Vergara of América had a chance in the 87th minute, asking for a penalty after a collision in the box. However, Roldán dismissed his appeals, leading to a heated exchange between players and a tense atmosphere as objects were thrown from the stands in frustration.
The match concluded with a scoreline of 1-1, a result that left both teams with more questions than answers. While América remained in fourth place with 18 points, Deportivo Cali fell to ninth with 15 points. The match highlighted the ongoing debate surrounding refereeing standards in Colombian football, particularly regarding VAR utilization and match officials’ consistency.
As teams prepare for the next round of matches, Deportivo Cali will face Deportivo Pasto, while América de Cali gears up to challenge Fortaleza FC. The league continues to be fiercely competitive, and every point is crucial as the season progresses.
This thrilling encounter not only brought the rivalry to the forefront but also left fans questioning the role of officiating in determining outcomes in tight matches.
