MADRID, SPAIN — Two goals in three breathless minutes turned the tide as Internacional de Bogotá snatched a pulsating 3-2 victory over Deportivo Cali at Metropolitano de Techo, completing a stunning late comeback in Colombian Primera A action. Larry Vásquez and Juan Valencia struck in quick succession during the 70th and 72nd minutes to overturn a deficit and secure three precious points for the hosts, despite the visitors dominating possession and chances throughout the contest.
The match exploded into life in the 25th minute when Steven Rodríguez opened the scoring for Deportivo Cali, finishing a devastating counter-attack with a clinical right-footed strike to the bottom left corner after excellent work from Fabián Viáfara. The visitors' early advantage reflected their territorial superiority, as they enjoyed 55.6% of the ball and peppered the Inter Bogotá goal with wave after wave of attacks.
Inter Bogotá responded with determination, and their persistence paid off in the 32nd minute when Carlos Vivas powered home a right-footed effort from the centre of the box to the top right corner, converting Kevin Parra's delivery following a set piece. The equalizer shifted momentum temporarily, but Deportivo Cali's attacking intent never wavered. Johan Martínez restored the visitors' lead in the 58th minute, his left-footed shot from the right side of the box finding the bottom right corner after Steven Rodríguez's clever assist.
The statistics told a story of Deportivo Cali dominance that should have yielded more than two goals. The visitors launched 24 shots at goal compared to Inter Bogotá's 11, with eight finding the target to the hosts' five. But football's cruel arithmetic intervened in the most dramatic fashion during a three-minute spell that will haunt Cali for weeks to come.
Larry Vásquez leveled proceedings in the 70th minute with a magnificent right-footed strike from outside the box that arrowed into the bottom right corner, assisted by Fabricio Sanguinetti. Before Deportivo Cali could regroup, Juan Valencia completed the turnaround just two minutes later, his right-footed effort from the right side of the box flying into the top left corner with Joan Castro providing the assist. Valencia's celebration earned him a yellow card, but the booking mattered little as Metropolitano de Techo erupted in jubilation.
The final 18 minutes descended into chaos as Deportivo Cali threw everything forward in search of an equalizer. Wuilker Fariñez emerged as Inter Bogotá's unlikely hero, producing save after save to preserve the lead. The goalkeeper's six stops proved decisive in a match where his goal lived a charmed life. In the 86th minute, he clawed away Felipe Aguilar's header from six yards, and in stoppage time, he gathered Johan Martínez's left-footed effort to deny Cali once more.
The match's fiery nature manifested in the referee's notebook, with seven yellow cards brandished throughout the contest. Inter Bogotá collected five cautions, including bookings for Larry Vásquez, Juan Valencia, Dannovi Quiñones, and Yulián Gómez, while Deportivo Cali saw Pedro Gallese and one other player cautioned. The physical battle in midfield never relented, with both teams committing 13 and 12 fouls respectively in a bruising encounter.
Deportivo Cali's frustration grew palpable in the dying moments as they dominated the closing stages without reward. Johan Martínez saw multiple efforts blocked in the 90th minute, firing four consecutive shots that Inter Bogotá's desperate defense somehow repelled. The visitors won five corners to Inter Bogotá's two, yet their set-piece delivery failed to produce the crucial equalizer. Fernando Álvarez and Juan Dinenno both sent headers wide from promising positions in the 89th minute, epitomizing Cali's profligacy in front of goal.
The victory extends Inter Bogotá's impressive recent form, having now won four of their last five matches. Their ability to grind out results despite being second-best statistically demonstrates the resilience and character within the squad. Conversely, Deportivo Cali's inability to convert territorial dominance into points will concern their coaching staff, particularly given they managed just two goals from 24 attempts.
Pedro Gallese in the Deportivo Cali goal made two saves but will rue his inability to prevent the decisive strikes from Vásquez and Valencia. The Peruvian international had little chance with either finish, both struck with precision and power that gave him no opportunity to react. At the other end, Fariñez's workload of six saves underscored just how much pressure Inter Bogotá absorbed throughout the 90 minutes.
The tactical battle saw Deportivo Cali control the tempo and create the better chances, yet Inter Bogotá's clinical finishing in that crucial three-minute window proved the difference. Fabricio Sanguinetti's influence grew as the match progressed, and his assist for Vásquez's equalizer showcased his creative vision. Joan Castro's contribution to Valencia's winner highlighted Inter Bogotá's ability to exploit space on the counter-attack when Cali committed numbers forward.
Both teams return to action next week, with Inter Bogotá seeking to build on this momentum while Deportivo Cali must regroup quickly and convert their dominant performances into positive results before their next assignment arrives.