Melanin Aponzá opened the scoring in Deportivo Cali's victory over Universidad de Chile.
Photo: Deportivo Cali
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Deportivo Cali closed the group stage of the Copa Libertadores Femenina 2025 with a solid 2-0 victory over the University of Chile, in a match played this Thursday at the Florencio Sola stadium in Banfield (Argentina). The goals were from Melanin Aponzá and Kelly Ibargüen.
The sugar team, current champion of the BetPlay Women's League, confirmed its good moment and sealed its classification as leader of Group D with seven points. It is the only representative of Colombian soccer that remains in competition after the elimination of Santa Fe.
The team led by Jhon Alber Ortiz imposed conditions from the start. Just in the 7th minute, an error by Chilean goalkeeper Oriana Cristancho changed the course of the match: in a corner kick play, she failed to clear it and Melanin Aponzá took advantage of the rebound to push the ball into the back of the net.
The early goal reflected the superiority of Cali, who, although they had less possession, were sharper in attack and generated the clearest opportunities. The defensive order and the high pressure imposed by the green and white team complicated the university players, who were unable to reverse the situation.
In the second half, Cali maintained control and found the goal of tranquility. At game time, Kelly Ibargüen extended the lead. The midfielder from Valle del Cauca overflowed the right wing and scored with a cross shot at the near post that surprised Cristancho.
The U ended the match with one less player after Franchesca Caniguan saw red. It seemed like there was time for one more emotion when Michelle Vásquez – who had come on for Aponzá in the second half – scored the third, but the VAR annulled the score.
This victory allowed those led by Ortiz to take first place in Group D of the Copa Libertadores Femenina. The sugar companies come from strength to strength and confidently reach the quarterfinals. The team has seven units, the result of two victories and a draw.
In the next few hours, Cali will meet his rival in the next phase, whose match is scheduled for October 12 in Banfield. Their goal is to surpass their best participation, that of 2022, an edition in which they reached the semifinals.
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