Atlético Nacional, Deportivo Pasto, América de Cali, Once Caldas, Deportes Tolima and Junior de Barranquilla played the second date of the last home series of the Betplay League for the second half of 2024.
Verdolagas and Pijaos secured their leadership in their respective groups. However, for the home run A, the game between Santa Fe and Millonarios is still to be played, which will define if the team led by Alberto Gamero reaches Nacional in points or if the Cardenal team puts its first three points.
Atlético Nacional beat Pato 1-0 at the Estadio Libertad. Sebastián Guzmán scored the goal for the team led by Mexican Efraín Juárez, after an assist from Uruguayan Pablo Cepelini.
Paisa’s team has six points in group A of the BetPlay League domestic leagues, which is why they are the leader of the group. In addition, there are six goals in his favor, because in the match against Santa Fe at the Atanasio Girardot stadium, the team managed to beat Bogotá 5-0.
Atlético Nacional lost to Deportivo Pasto by the narrowest margin at the Libertad Leonardo Castro/Colprensa Division stadium creditAs for group B of the last domestic leagues of the second half of 2024, Deportes Tolima became the new leader, having achieved the smallest difference with Junior de Barranquilla at the Manuel Murillo Toro stadium. César Farías’ team had just beaten América de Cali, by the slimmest of margins, and that’s why they were looking to hit the home run and consolidate their path to the final. .
Didier Moreno scored the goal in favor of the team led by David González, that is, an own goal. The drama in Tolima’s favor came from a center with Jeison Lucumí. With this victory, Pijao’s team added four points, with a goal difference of plus one, which is why they are positioned as the new leader of group B.
The Manizales team started winning the game with a goal from Michael Barrios. The VAR reviewed the score for possible dissent, a case which was dismissed and the goal awarded to Hernán Darío ‘Arriero’ Herrera’s team.
With this connection, América put its first point into quadrant B, and Once Caldas has two units.
- National Athletics: 6 points – 2 games played (+6 goal difference)
- Millionaires: 3 points – 1 game played (+1 goal difference)
- Deportivo Pasto: 0 points – 2 games played (-1 goal difference)
- Santa Fe Independent: 0 points – 1 game played (goal difference of -5)
BetPlay League standings home run group A – screen credit- Tolima Sports: 4 points – 2 games played (+1 goal difference)
- Junior from Barranquilla: 3 points – 2 games played (goal difference of 0)
- Caldas Time: 2 points – 2 games played (goal difference 0)
- America Cali: 1 point – 2 games played (-1 goal difference)
Standings table for group B of the final home leagues of the BetPlay League – credit screenshot- Game: Deportes Tolima vs. Cali America
Time: 6:30 p.m
TV Streaming: Win + Football and Win Play
- Match: Once Caldas vs. Junior from Barranquilla
Time: 8:30 p.m
TV Streaming: Win + Football and Win Play
Group A
- Game: Deportivo Pasto vs. Santa Fe
Time: 6:30 p.m
Stadium: Libertad Division
TV Streaming: Win + Football and Win Play
Deportivo Pasto will face Santa Fe for the third date of quadrangle A – credit Dimayor- Game: Millionaires vs. National Athletics
Time: 8:30 p.m
Stadium: Nemesio Camacho El Campín
TV Streaming: Win + Football and Win Play
How might the outcomes of upcoming matches affect the standings in the Betplay League’s group stages?
Time.news Interview: Analyzing the Latest in the Betplay League
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Welcome to Time.news! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with expert sports analyst, Dr. Alejandro Restrepo, who specializes in Latin American football. We’ll delve into the exciting developments from the recent round of the Betplay League for the second half of 2024. Alejandro, thank you for joining us!
Dr. Alejandro Restrepo: Thank you for having me! It’s an exciting time for Colombian football, and there’s so much to discuss.
Interviewer: Let’s start with Atlético Nacional. They seem to be on a roll, securing a victory over Deportivo Pasto. What do you make of their performance so far this season?
Dr. Restrepo: Atlético Nacional has been impressive. Their mantra this season appears to be solid defense combined with opportunistic scoring. The 1-0 win against Pasto, with Sebastián Guzmán’s decisive goal, showcased their ability to grind out results. Plus, their earlier thrashing of Santa Fe sent a message to competitors about their attacking potential—six goals in two matches certainly raises eyebrows.
Interviewer: That’s a substantial goal difference! They currently lead Group A. What factors do you think are contributing to their success?
Dr. Restrepo: There are several factors at play. Firstly, coaching can’t be overlooked; Efraín Juárez has instilled a sense of discipline and tactical awareness in the team. Secondly, their squad depth is notable, as they can bring on substitutes who maintain the intensity throughout the match. Also, having strong individual performances—like those from Guzmán and Cepelini—reinforces their overall effectiveness.
Interviewer: That makes sense. Moving to Group B, Deportes Tolima has recently topped the standings. What’s your assessment of their recent victory and their standing in the league?
Dr. Restrepo: Deportes Tolima’s performance has been quite strategic. The narrow win against América de Cali, aided by an own goal from Didier Moreno, illustrates how sometimes luck plays a role, but it’s also about taking advantage of mistakes from the opposition. César Farías’ side has shown resilience and the ability to capitalize under pressure, which is crucial in a competition where every point counts.
Interviewer: Indeed, and their progression in the league seems promising. Speaking of progress, how do you see the upcoming match between Santa Fe and Millonarios influencing Group A’s standings?
Dr. Restrepo: That match is pivotal! If Millonarios can secure a win, they would be level with Nacional on points, creating a compelling race for the top of Group A. On the flip side, a win for Santa Fe would thrust them into the competition, especially after such a rough start. The stakes are high, and it could set the tone for the remainder of the season.
Interviewer: With such close competition, what advice would you give to these teams as they navigate the crucial matches ahead?
Dr. Restrepo: Consistency and mental fortitude will be critical. Teams need to maintain focus and not let the pressure of crucial matches overwhelm them. Additionally, effective use of VAR will be vital; we’ve seen how a single decision can sway the momentum in critical games. Coaches should also emphasize squad rotation to keep players fresh as the league progresses.
Interviewer: Those are valuable insights, Alejandro. Before we wrap up, how do you think the final outcomes of these group stages will impact the overall tournament?
Dr. Restrepo: The format of the final stages can often produce shocking results. Teams that are initially strong can be usurped by dark horses who find their form at the right moment. This unpredictability makes the tournament thrilling and challenging. The more teams like Atlético Nacional and Deportes Tolima establish their dominance, the more pressure they will face from others looking to upset the order.
Interviewer: Absolutely! Thank you, Dr. Restrepo, for sharing your expertise with us today. It’s clear that the Betplay League is shaping up to be an exhilarating season.
Dr. Restrepo: Thank you for having me! I’m looking forward to seeing how everything plays out.
Interviewer: And to our readers, keep an eye on the thrilling world of Colombian football as we continue to cover the Betplay League. Stay tuned for more updates, and enjoy the matches!