Barranquilla FC secured a 5-4 penalty shootout victory against Millonarios FC at the Estadio Romelio Martínez, advancing to the quarterfinals of the Copa BetPlay DIMAYOR 2026. The two sides had played to a 1-1 draw during regulation time in the eighth-final match, setting the stage for the dramatic spot-kick finish where the second-tier hosts prevailed. With this victory, ‘los Rojos’ joined the top eight squads of the 2026 tournament and advanced further in their pursuit of the title.
Estadio Romelio Martínez Hosts the Octavos Upset
Mackalister Silva had scored the opening equalizer for the capital side during regulation, but the lower-division hosts managed to absorb the pressure and take the contest into a penalty shootout. There, the home side displayed superior effectiveness from the twelve-yard mark to secure their qualification ticket.
Alberto Gamero Critiques Millonarios’ Performance
Millonarios manager Alberto Gamero did not hide his frustration after the final whistle, delivering a sharp assessment of his squad’s shortcomings. El Tiempo noted that the coach admitted his side distanced themselves from the identity he demands, calling them a disjointed team that focused too much on attacking while ignoring defensive responsibilities. Gamero pointed out that while his players had enough scoring chances to put the game away, their defensive lapses and missed execution ultimately proved costly.
Esto es responsabilidad de nosotros los jugadores, que no fuimos capaces,
admitted midfielder Mackalister Silva in remarks reported by El Tiempo, taking direct accountability for the team’s elimination and rejecting any excuses for the result.
Quarterfinal matchups determine path to the final
Meanwhile, seven of the eight quarterfinal berths were determined following the latest round of matches. The winner of the Barranquilla and América de Cali series will advance to face the victor of the matchup between Internacional de Bogotá and Llaneros at the Estadio Metropolitano de Techo in the capital. Elsewhere in the bracket, Atlético Nacional and Independiente Medellín will contest an Antioquian clásico where the Verdolaga team will serve as the home side. That winner will face the surviving team from the tie between Once Caldas and either Santa Fe or Fortaleza. The final quarterfinal berth remained undecided pending a rescheduled fixture between Santa Fe and Fortaleza due to availability issues at El Campín, with the venue for that quarterfinal series depending on which club qualifies: if Santa Fe advances, the matches will be played in Bogotá, but if Fortaleza qualifies, the series will be staged in Manizales.
Who scored and how Barranquilla FC won
Who scored for Millonarios during regulation time?
Mackalister Silva scored the goal for the capital club that leveled the match at 1-1 before the fixture went to penalty kicks.
Which opponent awaits Barranquilla FC in the quarterfinals?
Barranquilla FC will face América de Cali in the next round of the tournament, with the series scheduled to take place at the Estadio Romelio Martínez.
How did the penalty shootout conclude?
Barranquilla FC won the shootout 5-4 after Sergio Mosquera missed his spot-kick for Millonarios.
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