America de Cali closed their week in Villavicencio with a perfect score

On a hot afternoon at the Bello Horizonte Stadium, América de Cali secured three points with a narrow 1-0 victory over Deportivo Pereira. Under the guidance of Uruguayan coach Jorge Da Silva , the Scarlet team started with great intensity from the opening whistle, clearly demonstrating their desire to dominate the match.

In the 6th minute, Cristian Barrios , who was on fire all night, tested the keeper with a powerful shot from outside the box, which Salvador Ichazo managed to save. However, Barrios himself didn't have to wait long to open the scoring. Just five minutes later, a mistake in Pereira's build-up play was capitalized on by Alexis Zapata , who quickly combined with Adrián Ramos . The captain, with his experience, spotted Barrios ' diagonal run into the box and delivered a pinpoint pass. The winger finished first-time to make it 1-0 and send the Villavicencio fans into raptures.

América maintained the pressure for the first 20 minutes of the match. In the 16th minute, Barrios again came close to scoring, this time with a diving header that went just wide of the visitors' goal. Three minutes later, the winger broke down the flank and sent in a cross that Ramos , arriving under pressure, volleyed, though the ball went just over the crossbar.

The game slowed down a bit around the half-hour mark, but Alexis Zapata nearly extended the lead in the 31st minute with a low free kick that went inches wide of Ichazo's goal. With the score in their favor, América controlled the game while continuing to search for a second goal.