Cucuta Deportivo move into the Colombian Liga Postobon top eight following a 3-0 win over Cortulua, while Deportivo Cali were held to a 1-1 draw by Deportivo Pereira.
With the top spots mostly decided, the battle for eighth place remains close as several teams still have a chance to clinch the final spot in the next round.
Cucuta did exactly what was needed to conquer a spot in the top eight, with Wilson Carpintero scoring all of the home side’s goals. The forward did so in the 11th, 58th and 82nd minutes for a 3-0 final result.
Deportivo Cali weren’t as successful at home against Pereira, who took the lead through Gustavo Victoria in the 50th minute.
Martin Morel equalised from the penalty spot in the 65th minute to limit the damage, but it was not enough for Cali to stay in the top eight.
Atletico Nacional meanwhile, beat La Equidad 3-1 in Medellin to jump to third place. La Equidad drew first blood through Ariel Carreño in the 43rd minute, but Nacional delivered a solid second-half display with goals from Orlando Berrio, Dorlan Pabon and Marcos Mondaini.
The result makes no real difference to either team, as both are already certain of a spot in the next round.
That cannot be said about Independiente Medellin, who are officially out of contention following a 1-1 draw at Atletico Huila. Ivan Velasquez scored for the home team in the 45th minute, and DIM’s Luis Arias leveled in the 78th.
In the day’s remaining matches, Junior and Real Cartagena drew 1-1 while Deportes Quindio beat Envigado 3-2.
Seven teams are now certain of making it to the next round: Tolima, Once Caldas, Atletico Nacional, Santa Fe, Huila, Quindio and La Equidad.
In next week’s final round, Cucuta defend their eighth position with Cali, Millonarios and America all still having a chance of qualifying as well.
America de Cali, Medellin, Boyaca Chico, Junior, Cartagena, Cortulua, Pereira and Envigado will all have their season come to an end after next week’s fixtures.
