Colombia Primera A Wrap: Millonarios heroics in vain, Tolima top group

Millonarios have scored two goals in as many minutes to pull off a 3-2 comeback win over Once Caldas in the Colombia Primera A.

Jose Tancredi and Yuber Asprilla scored in the 79th and 80th minutes to clinch victory in the semi-final stage.

But although the triumph took Millonarios level with Santa Fe on 10 points in Group A, the former have no chance of reaching the Apertura final due to their final position in the home-and-away stage of Colombia’s top tier.

If the two sides finish level on points, Santa Fe will still advance because they topped the league during the home-and-away stage, while Millonarios finished sixth.

In Thursday’s game in Manizales, Millonarios took an early lead over their hosts when Fredy Montero struck in the 28th minute but Once Caldas were level just before half-time through Sergio Romero.

Once Caldas went ahead in the 74th minute through Jamell Ramos but Millonarios claimed a stunning comeback thanks to Tancredi and Asprilla.

Tancredi’s equaliser was a stunning goal with the 30-year-old midfielder collecting the ball around 30 metres out and thumping it home with a rasping drive, while Asprilla completed the turnaround just over a minute later, finishing from near the penalty spot after a cut-back from Harrison Otalvaro.

While Santa Fe have wrapped up Group A in the semi-final stage of the Primera A, Group B remains undecided after results from midweek.

Deportes Tolima remain top of Group B after a 1-1 draw away to Deportivo Pasto.

But both Pasto and Atletico Nacional are in prime position to overhaul Tolima before the semi-final stage is complete after the latter defeated Itagui 2-1 on Wednesday.

Tolima lead Group B on eight points with Pasto and Nacional second and third respectively on seven, while Itagui (six points) could also reach first position if they defeat the leaders over the weekend and the other Group B clash ends in a draw.