América de Cali defeated Deportes Tolima 1-0 at the Bello Horizonte – Rey Pelé stadium and climbed to the second position in the standings of the Finalization Tournament of the Colombian League.
The Scarlet team added three important points against a rival that started the match better, having control of the ball and creating several dangerous opportunities at the goal of goalkeeper Jorge Soto.
The Pijao came close to opening the scoring with a shot inside the area from Franco López, who attempted a bicycle kick with his right foot, which hit the crossbar rebelliously.
Minutes later, in one of the first approaches of the Scarlet team came the only goal of the match through Cristian Barrios, who entered the area from the right flank and took a shot with his right foot.
The first half ended with América controlling the match against a Tolima that couldn’t recover from the blow of the goal conceded in the 32nd minute.
In the second half, the match didn’t change much, with the Scarlet team dominating its rival and having several opportunities to increase the score.
Luis Felipe Gómez had the first chance in the 71st minute in an individual play where he left a rival behind, entered the area, and took a crossed shot with his right foot that narrowly missed the left post of the Tolima goalkeeper.
Minutes later, Cristian Barrios appeared again, this time on the right flank, also inside the area, where he took a crossed shot that went slightly wide, while the Pijao goalkeeper watched.
Tolima had the ball at times but couldn’t find ways to hurt América and breach a defense that performed very well throughout the match.
The Scarlet team ended up with the three points and completed five matches without defeat, with a record of 4 victories and 1 draw.
With this win, the team led by Jorge Polilla da Silva climbed to the second position in the standings of the all-against-all phase with 16 points, sitting 4 points behind leaders Once Caldas and tied with Nacional and Fortaleza.
In the next round, América de Cali will again be at home against Deportivo Pereira for the tenth round of the Finalization Tournament of the Colombian League.