Millonarios enter the top eight at the expense of local rivals Santa Fe, thanks to an entertaining 3-4 win at Envigado. Leaders Independiente Medellin suffered a 1-3 defeat by Deportes Tolima.
Things initially went according to plan for Medellin as in-form striker Jackson Martinez put them ahead from the penalty spot after 20 minutes, but Rodrigo Marangoni leveled the score in minute 56. Wilder Medina then put Tolima in the lead in the 76th, for Jorge Perlaza to make it 1-3 ten minutes later.
Ivan Corredor of Tolima and Medellin’s Leiton Jimenez were sent off in the second half.
Atletico Huila were held to a 2-2 draw by America de Cali. Ivan Velasquez scored twice, in the 29th and 70th minutes, but the Huila player saw both efforts canceled out. Diego Chara netted the first equaliser in the 68th minute, and Eduar Zea made it 2-2 in the 84th. Pedro Tavima of America was red-carded late on.
Deportivo Cali earned a comfortable 3-0 victory over Pasto. The opening goal came from Sergio Herrera in the 17th minute, and Elkin Calle added a second four minutes after the hour. The third and final goal was scored by Michael Ortega in minute 86.
Atletico Nacional remain in third place despite a 2-1 defeat at Boyaca Chico. The Medellin outfit scored through Juan Velez in the very first minute but Miguel Caneo balanced things in the 32nd. The winning goal came from Charles Monsalvo with just a minute to go in regular time.
Deportivo Pereira convinced with a 4-0 win over Quindio. Anselmo De Almeida found the target in the 20th minute, and Fernando Uribe did so in the 44th. Fernando Cardenas added another two in the second half to help his team to a comfortable victory.
La Equidad kept hope alive with a 1-0 win over Junior in Bogota. The only goal of the match came from Herly Alcazar, three minutes into added time. La Equidad had no less than three players sent off. Marco Canchila received a red card in the first half, Juan Perez and goalscorer Herly followed late in the second. Camilo Ceballos of Junior was sent for an early shower as well.
Millonarios fought their way into the top eight with a 3-4 win at Envigado. Leon Muñoz put the Bogota side ahead after 13 minutes but goals from Neider Morantes, Dorlan Pabon and Jorge Serna then gave the hosts a comfortable 3-1 lead. The away side didn’t give up however. Jose Mera pulled one back in minute 68, for Oscar Briceño to level five minutes later. Mera then netted the winner in minute 78.
Santa Fe only managed a 1-1 draw against Cucuta at El Campin stadium. Cucuta went ahead through Cesar Arias in the 28th minute, but Omar Perez equalised just before the break to limit the damage for Santa Fe. Nevertheless, the ‘Cardinals’ are no longer in the top eight.
In the remaining game of the night, Real Cartagena beat defending champions Once Caldas 3-1 with goals from Fabian Salazar (2) and Emerson Chamorro. Johan Fano scored the only goal for Once Caldas.
Based on the current standings and with four games to go, the following teams are on course for a spot in the next round: Medellin, Huila, Pasto, Nacional, Tolima, Pereira, Junior and Millonarios.