Deportivo Cali also cannot succeed in the Copa BetPlay. The Valle del Cauca team was unable to secure a victory during their visit to Fortaleza in Bogotá, falling by the narrowest of margins at the Estadio Metropolitano de Techo. A goal from Sebastián Ramírez secured the win for those coached by Sebastián Oliveros, in a match where opportunities were scarce and a set-piece action determined the outcome.
Few chances in the first half. Although both teams set out to pursue the game, defenses were solid and had little work from the outset. While Fortaleza relied on its established game plan of short passes and association, Deportivo Cali attempted to penetrate the opposing area with more speed, depending more on the individual actions of their players than on collective opportunities.
The only clear opportunity in the first half came from the Bogotanos, who almost surprised goalkeeper Gastón Guruceaga in the closing minutes of the first half, with a free kick from Jerónimo Barrera that seemed simple but ended up hitting the post. Cali, for its part, had a chance in the 25th minute with a shot from Juan Cantillo that went just wide of the right post.
In the second half, the match maintained the same dynamic with both teams keeping the attacking initiative, but with little clarity and effectiveness in the final third to break the deadlock. Scoring chances and real intentions were scarce and lacked creativity, against defenses that performed well in shutting down offensive actions.
Despite this, Fortaleza found the winning goal in the final minutes of the match, as Sebastián Ramírez broke the deadlock with a header, celebrating his first goal as a professional, after receiving a cross from the left flank by Nicolás Rodríguez. This goal will give them an advantage going into the return match in Palmaseca.
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