Deportivo Pereira secured their first victory of the Liga BetPlay 2025 season with a 2-0 win against Fortaleza on February 4, 2025. The match, held at the Hernán Ramírez Villegas stadium, was significant not just for the points it awarded, but also for the way the game unfolded, with Pereira managing to capitalize on key mistakes from the opposing side.
From the get-go, Fortaleza appeared to dominate the match, coming close to scoring within the first 12 minutes. Their forward, Luis Sánchez, attempted to open the scoring, but Pereira's goalkeeper, Salvador Ichazo, made a spectacular save. This set the tone for what would be a challenging match for both teams, but especially for Pereira, who faced adversity early.
The game took a pivotal turn when Jorge Andrés Bermúdez of Deportivo Pereira received a red card for a foul on Ronaldo Pájaro just 17 minutes in. With Pereira down to ten men, the odds seemed stacked against them, particularly as Fortaleza continued to press for the advantage.
Yet, just when things looked grim for the Matecañas, the situation changed dramatically. A missed opportunity by Fortaleza's goalkeeper, Juan Castillo, turned the tide. Following a corner kick delivered by Yesus Cabrera, Castillo attempted to clear the ball but ended up fumbling it. José Moya capitalized on the mistake, leading to what initially seemed like just another chaotic moment on the pitch. The referee, after being prompted by VAR, awarded Pereira a penalty. Yesus Cabrera converted the penalty successfully at the 36-minute mark, granting Pereira the lead.
Feeling emboldened by the goal, Pereira pressed their advantage. Just six minutes later, the home team struck again. Gianfranco Peña took full advantage of another mistake from Castillo, who misjudged the ball yet again. Peña found himself unmarked and slotted the ball home, putting Pereira up 2-0 just before halftime.
The second half saw Fortaleza make several tactical changes, desperate to claw back the deficit. They intensified their offensive efforts, striving to exploit Pereira’s reduced lineup. Despite having more possession, Fortaleza struggled to create clear chances due to both Ichazo's decisive goalkeeping and their own imprecision.
Ichazo was repeatedly tested but stood firm, making clutch saves to maintain Pereira's lead. The match continued with Fortaleza pushing to narrow the gap, but their efforts were met with mettle and organization from Pereira's defense. The game ended with the Matecañas celebrating their first three points of the tournament, leaving their supporters relieved and hopeful moving forward.
With this victory, Deportivo Pereira climbs to five points on the league table, signalling a turnaround after several tough matches. The display not only brought joy to their fans, who had been anxious following prior outcomes but also showcased the team’s potential moving forward under the guidance of coach Luis Fernando Suárez.