Betplay League standings: Tolima wins and is close to qualification; Medellín makes life difficult for itself.
Matchday 18 of the Betplay League kicked off this Friday with two matches. Deportes Tolima won and is close to qualifying for the semifinals, while Medellín lost and made things even worse for itself.
The ball started rolling first in Ibagué , where Deportes Tolima beat Unión Magdalena (3-1) at the Manuel Murillo Toro stadium and continues to fight to qualify for the semifinal phase of the tournament.
Fortaleza and Deportes Tolima drew 1-1 at Techo. Photo: César Melgarejo. EL TIEMPO
Kevin Pérez was key for the Pijao team, scoring a double to give his team a lead at halftime. Jannenson Sarmiento pulled one back for Unión and added some suspense until Brayan Rovira 's goal sealed the victory.
Tolima went on to win their third league match without defeat, and with the home win, they climbed to fifth place in the standings. With 30 points, they have one foot in the quadrangulars. The Vinotinto y Oro can secure a spot in their next match against Independiente Medellín.
Bucaramanga refuses elimination Atlético Bucaramanga, meanwhile, bounced back in the Betplay League and remains hopeful of reaching the qualification zone. El Leopardo defeated Independiente Medellín 2-0 at the Américo Montanini Stadium and is chasing eighth place.
Atlético Bucaramanga vs. Fortress Photo: AFP
Kevin Londoño gave manager Rafael Dudamel's team the lead, having been struggling after their crushing defeat to Racing de Argentina in the Copa Libertadores. Leonardo Flores, in stoppage time, sealed the win for the home side to celebrate.
Bucaramanga broke the losing streak of its last three matches, in which it suffered two defeats and only managed one draw. The Santander team climbed to 11th place in the table with 23 points and, with two matches remaining, is four points behind eighth-place Independiente Santa Fe, currently in the league with 27 points.
League standings
eltiempo
