In their first home game of the BetPlay II-2024 Tournament, Real Cartagena narrowly defeated Atlético Huila. A solitary goal from Wilfrido De La Rosa, one of the new players, secured the victory and brought joy to the fans who attended the match at the Jaime Morón León stadium.
Right from the start, Suárez made four changes compared to the team that drew with Inter Palmira in the debut match. Cristian Arroyave stayed in goal; Juan Camilo Ángulo, Darwin Palomeque, Cristian Flórez, and Mateo Castillo formed the defense; Deivi Barrios, Christian Marrugo, and debutant Michael Covea occupied the midfield; while Wilfrido De La Rosa, Juan José Salcedo, and Miguel Murillo formed the attacking trio.
At the initial whistle, the auriverde team came out with their usual attitude: all out to find the advantage. Just six minutes into the game, they warned with a run from Marrugo, who dragged two defenders along, and from the stands, it seemed that a handball had occurred in the area that was not called by the referee.
The home team continued to control the ball, and in the 12th minute, Palomeque won a header in the air that goalkeeper Jeison Méndez deflected to a corner. Moments later, the heroic number 17 struck again, and this time they did not miss: Wilfrido De La Rosa, the shortest player on Real Cartagena, found the ball as the cross came in and sent it into the net with his chest.
With the lead on the scoreboard, the Cartagena team maintained possession and kept calm when attacking. Arriving at the first half hour, “Pitillo” Salcedo controlled the ball at the edge of the box, assisted De La Rosa, who was making a run, but the number 7 could not finish comfortably and his shot struck a defender. By the end of the first half, Huila had gained control, approached the box, and with a long-range shot that hit the crossbar, they posed a threat to the defense and goalkeeper Arroyave.
In the second half, the auriverde team controlled their opponent. They had the ball, without rushing, led by Marrugo and the ever-elusive De La Rosa on the right wing, to manage the remaining play. Suárez refreshed the team by bringing in Yosimarc Torres for Murillo.
In the 70th minute, the home team generated perhaps the most dangerous chance in the second half. Castillo outpaced two defenders with sheer speed down his wing; the goalkeeper rushed out, made the save, and the rebound was cleared by the opposing defense. After that, the heroic coach made more changes: Robert Lara and Jhon Valencia came in to replace Venezuelan Covea and De La Rosa.
Huila threatened and had a clear chance in the 76th minute. After a loss of possession by Barrios, the visitors broke out with two touches, and the shot was well controlled by Arroyave. From then on, both teams from Bolívar and Neiva could not do much until the referee signaled the end.
With this victory, Real Cartagena accumulates 4 points, resulting from one win and one draw. In the next match, the auriverde team will face Cúcuta Deportivo as visitors, a match that still has the date and time to be confirmed.