Atlético Nacional solidified its impressive season with a commanding 4-1 victory over América de Cali, a result that nearly seals their semifinal tie in the Copa BetPlay. Remarkably, the green team accomplished this feat without three key players: William Tesillo, Jorman Campuzano, and Edwin Cardona, showcasing the depth and strength of the squad under coach Diego Arias.
The atmosphere at the Atanasio Girardot stadium began with a spectacular display of pyrotechnics and green-and-white smoke, setting the stage for an exhilarating match filled with goals and excitement. From the very start, Nacional was determined to take control of the game, displaying intensity and focus across all positions.
The first goal came in the 36th minute, delivered by Juan Bauzá. He capitalized on a ball theft by Matheus Uribe, skillfully placing his shot in an unreachable corner for goalkeeper Jorge Soto. This crucial goal not only opened the scoring but also marked the 100th goal for the verdolaga team this year and was Bauzá’s second in 17 matches, highlighting his rising impact within the squad.
Additionally, the first half included another significant event: the injury of Andrés Sarmiento, who left the pitch to make way for young player Juan Manuel Rengifo. This promising talent, who had previously shown glimpses of his ability, quickly emerged as a standout in the match.
In the second half, Nacional maintained its dominance. In the 60th minute, Matheus Uribe, one of the match’s standout performers, extended the lead with his tenth goal of the season, putting the score at 2-0. However, the true highlight of the match occurred just four minutes later.
Juan Manuel Rengifo took a corner kick and, with remarkable boldness and skill, scored directly from the set piece, netting an Olympic goal that left América’s defense stunned. This historic goal was Rengifo’s third for the club, making him only the sixth player in Nacional’s history to score an Olympic goal, joining legendary figures like Rodrigo Miranda (1964), Óscar López and Óscar Rossi (1965), Gustavo Santa (1969), and Hernán Darío Herrera (1978).
The euphoria among fans had not yet settled when Alfredo Morelos extended the lead to four goals, marking his 29th goal for Nacional and further emphasizing the clear superiority of the Paisa team. América managed to score a consolation goal through Yojan Garcés, but it did little to alter the final outcome of 4-1.
With this victory, Atlético Nacional all but guarantees their place in the Copa BetPlay final, although they must confirm it at the Pascual Guerrero stadium on Thursday, November 13, at 8:00 p.m. Under Diego Arias’ coaching, the team now boasts an unbeaten streak of 10 matches: 8 wins and 2 draws. This remarkable run positions them as one of the favorites to lift the trophy at the end of the season.