Draw in the Quarterfinal: América and Santa Fe Finish Even. In the BetPlay League quarterfinal, América de Cali and Santa Fe played to a 1-1 draw. Rodallega scored first, while Ramos equalized after a corner kick. The match was hard-fought, marked by intense competition and tactical adjustments.
In the BetPlay League quarterfinal match between América de Cali and Santa Fe, held on May 9, 2026, at the Pascual Guerrero stadium, the teams ended in a draw — 1:1. As early as the 7th minute, the visitors took the lead thanks to a precise strike by Hugo Rodallega, setting a high tempo for the entire first half. América found themselves trailing and were forced to adjust their play to regain control of the situation.
Santa Fe played with maximum focus and efficiency in the first half, not allowing the hosts to create dangerous chances near their goal. However, after the break, América significantly increased their pressure on the opposing half. The key moment came in the 47th minute: after a corner kick, Adrián Ramos headed the ball into the net, leveling the score.
The second half was marked by an intense contest and tactical changes. Both coaches actively used substitutions in an effort to change the course of the game, but numerous attempts to take the lead brought no result for either side. In the closing minutes, the referee added five minutes, during which both teams managed to create several more dangerous chances, but the score remained unchanged.
The match was notable not only for its goals but also for its fierce competition and forced substitutions due to injuries. Both teams demonstrated a high level of commitment, but neither América de Cali nor Santa Fe managed to tip the balance in their favor. Such a tense fight for a place in the next round is a reminder of how unpredictable cup matches can be—just as seen in other playoff encounters, such as when Real Sociedad and Betis fought for prestige in a key La Liga match.
As a result, the draw keeps the intrigue alive for the return leg, and both teams retain chances of reaching the semifinals. The next match promises to be just as intense, given the teams’ evenly matched strengths and character.
