Independiente Santa Fe booked their ticket to the semifinals of the Copa Libertadores Femenina on Saturday, eliminating Palmeiras 3-2 on penalties after a dramatic 2-2 draw at the Estadio Banco Guayaquil in Quito, Ecuador, AS Colombia reported. The Colombian team arrived in the knockout stage after finishing second in Group A with six points, while their opponent topped Group B with seven units under the direction of coach Omar Ramírez, following a 5-1 group stage-ending defeat against Corinthians that contrasted with earlier victories over Caracas and Colo-Colo.
Brena Stuns Santa Fe Early in Quito
Palmeiras seized the initiative early in the quarterfinal clash. Just seven minutes into the match, Brena struck with a long-range shot that caught Santa Fe goalkeeper Jimena Ospina off guard, putting the Brazilian side ahead.
Despite conceding early, Santa Fe controlled the majority of possession throughout the first half. The Colombian side pushed forward through Mariana Zamorano and Daniela Garavito—who threatened at 39 minutes with a shot saved by goalkeeper Natascha in a one-on-one situation that drew a VAR check for a handball by Pati Maldaner that was ruled unintentional—while teammate Cristina Motta nearly surprised Natascha with a shot from nearly midfield just before halftime as Palmeiras ran down the clock.
Late Heroics Force Extra Drama
Palmeiras doubled their lead in the 62nd minute when Raíssa Bahía cut inside and curled a right-footed shot past the goalkeeper, shortly after teammate Tahicelis Marcano struck the crossbar with a long-range effort at 60 minutes.
Mariana Zamorano halved the deficit in the 69th minute by tapping in a header flicked on by María José Torres following a cross from Valbuena. As stoppage time arrived, Juana Ortegón rose above the Brazilian defense to head home an equalizer from a Zamorano corner kick, sealing the 2-2 draw and forcing the match straight to penalties, following a late Palmeiras push that included a 76th-minute shot over the bar by Zaneratto and a missed chance by Rosana Augusto’s team with five minutes remaining.
Penalty Shootout Secures Semifinal Berth
In the ensuing penalty shootout, Santa Fe goalkeeper Jimena Ospina turned hero by stopping two spot-kicks. Kelly Ibargüen converted the decisive penalty to clinch a 3-2 shootout victory for the Colombian club, following conversions by Cristina Motta and Mariana Zamorano alongside misses from María José Torres and Wendis Cabrera, while Palmeiras goals from Zaneratto and Duda were offset by misses from Brena, Palermo, and Maldaner.
Santa Fe advances to face the winner of the quarterfinal between holders Corinthians and Independiente del Valle in the semifinals scheduled for Wednesday, October 28.
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