March 07, 2021 – 5:44 PM
In front of:
Newsroom of El País
America took its second online win on Sunday, this time 1-0 over Pereira at Pascual, a win that brings it closer to the group of eight and scares the threat of crisis foreshadowed by the poor results.
Yesus Cabrera, the VAR and Joel Graterol were the big protagonists of a lively match, with options in both goals and with a red box up to the task as the three points were a priority to continue in the fight.
In the first half, America was more than its rival and that translated into goals, but after the VAR review, the promotions were canceled.
However, the first to approach in danger was Pereira with a shot from Brayan Castrillón that was repelled.
America responded and after 11 minutes the first VAR decision ‘suffered’. Daniel Quiñones scored a great goal, but watching the video, the referee believed the ball hit Rafael Carrascal’s hand before the action from the right.
And after 31 minutes, the VAR made another decision to cancel a goal from Yesus Cabrera due to an error by Aldair Rodríguez.
After 49 minutes, extra time, Santiago Moreno lost to a corner kick, and at the age of 51, Moreno himself failed again after a pass from Yesus left him hand in hand with goalkeeper Harlyn Castillo.
At the rebound, Aldair Rodríguez could not define either and therefore the first half was settled with 0-0.
In the complementary period, very early on, Peruvian Aldair Rodríguez lost a clear option to score.
But at the age of 52, luckily for the red box, the goal that gave peace came; Daniel Quiñones sent a ball into the Pereira area, Luis Sánchez lowered it from the cue and the ball was caught by Yesus Cabrera to beat Harlen Castillo with a powerful shot from the right.
At 60, Pereira was able to level with a center from Bryan Castrillón that Franco Arizala failed to finish on the far post, but at 85 enjoyed the best option throughout the match.
Rafael Carrascal fouled Bryan Castrillón in the area, a move that had to be assessed by the VAR and later penalized. The attack was Ener Valencia, but his shot to Joel Graterol’s right post was controlled by the Venezuelan goalkeeper.
America counterattacked and held on to 1-0 to the end, with three points leaving it very close to the goal of getting into the group of eight.