Deportivo Cali secured their status as champions of the Liga Femenina BetPlay 2026, capturing a third league title by defeating Independiente Santa Fe 7-4 on aggregate following a high-scoring second leg at Palmaseca stadium. Despite a determined effort from the visitors, the home side’s offensive firepower proved decisive as they sealed the aggregate victory in front of their supporters.
How Deportivo Cali Claimed the Title at Palmaseca
The decisive second leg lived up to expectations as both sides traded blows early in the fixture. Independiente Santa Fe mounted an immediate response through a well-taken goal by Mariana Zamorano, who found the back of the net to level the aggregate scoreline in the opening stages. However, the overall performance gap between the two finalists became evident as the match progressed.
Deportivo Cali responded with relentless pressure in the attacking third. Melanin Aponzá converted an opportunity to level the match on the day before Ingrid Guerra put the hosts ahead just before halftime. The advantage widened further after the break when an own goal by Izabella Cortés put the ‘azucareras’ further clear on aggregate. Guerra then capped off a stellar individual performance by securing her second goal of the match, leaving the visitors with too much ground to make up.
Standout Performances and Turning Points
While Mariana Zamorano struck again for Santa Fe in the second half—marking her fourth goal of the final series—the offensive momentum remained firmly with the home side. Ingrid Guerra consistently troubled the visiting defense, weaving through markers inside the area to finish off a dominant team move for her fourth goal of the final.
Defensively, Deportivo Cali weathered early pressure, including a sequence where goalkeeper Maryory Sánchez—the Peruvian shot-stopper—was tested by long-range efforts, while Santa Fe’s defense was forced into desperate clearances on the goal line to prevent an even wider margin. Ultimately, the comprehensive 7-4 aggregate scoreline reflected Deportivo Cali’s attacking efficiency across both legs of the final.
Next Steps and Future Competition
With the 2026 Liga Femenina BetPlay campaign concluded and another star added to their crest, Deportivo Cali turns its attention toward celebrating their latest domestic milestone. Fans looking to follow the aftermath of the final can access club updates and match archives through official league platforms and broadcast partners.
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