A CORUÑA, SPAIN — Juan Dinenno rose highest just two minutes into the second half to head Deportivo Cali to a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Atlético Nacional at Deportivo Cali, a result that flew in the face of the statistical narrative. The Argentine striker's perfectly-timed header from Luis Orejuela's cross proved the difference in a match where the visitors dominated possession but found goalkeeper Pedro Gallese in inspired form.
The opening 45 minutes belonged to Atlético Nacional, who pinned Deportivo Cali back with wave after wave of attacks. Marlos Moreno tested Gallese in the 36th minute with a right-footed effort from distance that the Peruvian goalkeeper gathered comfortably. The visitors' territorial advantage was clear, controlling nearly 59% of the ball, but clear-cut chances remained elusive as Cali's defensive shape held firm. Andrés Román came closest for Nacional just before the break, forcing Gallese into a sharp save from the center of the box after Moreno's clever assist.
The breakthrough arrived within two minutes of the restart, and it was the hosts who struck against the run of play. Orejuela delivered a teasing cross from the right flank, and Dinenno attacked it with purpose, powering his header into the bottom left corner beyond the reach of Harlen Castillo. The goal silenced the visitors and gave Deportivo Cali something tangible to defend, a task they would embrace with increasing desperation as the match wore on.
Atlético Nacional's response was immediate and sustained. The visitors threw everything forward in search of an equalizer, with Alfredo Morelos leading the charge. The Colombian striker thought he'd leveled matters in the 74th minute when he met Andrés Sarmiento's cross with a powerful header, only to see Gallese produce a stunning save to keep it out. Moments later, Moreno followed up from six yards, but again Gallese was equal to the task, palming the ball to safety and earning a corner that came to nothing.
The statistics painted a picture of Nacional dominance that never translated into goals. The visitors finished with 15 shots to Cali's 13, six on target compared to four, and enjoyed a commanding 58.8% share of possession. They won nine corners to five and created numerous half-chances, yet Gallese stood like a wall between them and the equalizer they craved. The Peruvian international's six saves told the story of Deportivo Cali's defensive resilience, with every Nacional attack met by a combination of desperate defending and inspired goalkeeping.
The match turned increasingly fractious as time ticked away, with referee brandishing nine yellow cards in total—five to Nacional and four to Cali. Andrés Román saw yellow in the 88th minute for a cynical foul on Avilés Hurtado, while Milton Casco and Andrés Correa also found their way into the book as tensions boiled over. The physical nature of the contest reflected the stakes involved, with neither side willing to concede an inch in the midfield battles.
Deportivo Cali nearly sealed the points in stoppage time when Johan Martínez cut inside from a difficult angle on the left, but his left-footed effort was saved by Castillo, who had been largely a spectator for much of the evening. Steven Rodríguez also went close in the 89th minute, his right-footed shot from the right side of the box whistling just wide of the post. Those late chances served as reminders that Cali possessed attacking threat despite their defensive approach, with Martínez and Rodríguez combining effectively on the counter.
The tactical battle saw Atlético Nacional dominate the ball but struggle to break down a well-organized Deportivo Cali side that defended in numbers and looked to hit on the break. Mateus Uribe and Juan Zapata controlled the midfield for Nacional, completing passes and dictating tempo, but the final ball consistently let them down. Edwin Cardona, substituted in the 64th minute, couldn't unlock the door despite his creative reputation, while the introduction of Cristian Arango and Juan Bauza failed to change Nacional's fortunes.
For Deportivo Cali, the victory was built on collective sacrifice and individual brilliance from Gallese. José Caldera and Ronaldo Pájaro threw their bodies in front of shots, while Andrés Correa marshaled the backline with authority despite picking up a yellow card. The hosts absorbed pressure for long periods, content to sit deep and frustrate their opponents, knowing that Dinenno's early second-half strike had given them a precious lead to protect.
The result represents a significant three points for Deportivo Cali, who demonstrated that sometimes football rewards efficiency over dominance. Their ability to convert one of their limited chances while keeping a clean sheet against sustained pressure showcased the kind of pragmatic approach that wins tight matches. For Atlético Nacional, the defeat will sting given their statistical superiority, but football's cruel reality is that possession and shots mean nothing without goals.
The win gives Deportivo Cali momentum to build upon, while Atlético Nacional must regroup quickly with their next fixtures on the horizon.