Colombia Primera A Wrap: Santa Fe win, Itagui into third

Itagui have moved up to third in Colombia’s Primera A with a 3-0 victory over Boyaca Chico, while leaders Santa Fe also won.

Victor Cortes scored either side of half-time for Itagui as they leapfrogged Deportes Tolima into third position on the ladder, while Jairo Suarez struck a late winner for Santa Fe to clinch a 3-2 triumph over Cucuta Deportivo.

The weekend’s results leave Santa Fe top of Colombia’s top division on 32 points with Atletico Nacional (31 points) and Itagui (30) close behind.

At the Estadio Metropolitano de Itagui on Saturday, the home side hit the front in the 32nd minute following a blistering counter-attack with Jhonny Vasquez feeding Cortes at the top of the box and the veteran striker rolled his defender before smashing a shot into the upper-left corner.

The 37-year-old Cortes made it 2-0 in the 83rd minute, lifting the ball over Boyaca Chico’s onrushing goalkeeper Andre Krul, while Mauricio Gomez completed Itagui’s three-goal victory in the first minute of stoppage time.

The win took Itagui above Tolima, who were stunned 2-1 at home by Millonarios.

Millonarios scored twice in the first half through Erick Moreno and a penalty from Fredy Montero and while Tolima hit back with a spot kick of their own after half-time, the visitors held on to rise to fifth in the Primera A standings.

In the capital, Santa Fe triumphed in front of their home fans against Cucuta thanks to Suarez’s 84th minute goal, after the visitors had cancelled out Cristian Martinez Borja’s double.

In other Primera A results, Deportivo Cali defeated Medellin 2-0, Atletico Nacional won 1-0 over Deportivo Pasto and Junior were held to a scoreless draw by La Equidad.

Patriotas Boyaca drew 1-1 with Envigado, while Alianza Petrolera overcame Atletico Huila 1-0 and Deportes Quindio drew 1-1 with Once Caldas.