Cúcuta Deportivo venció 1-0 a Independiente Santa Fe en el estadio General Santander during the Liga BetPlay 2026 season, securing their permanence in Colombia’s top flight and handing Jaguares de Córdoba an automatic relegation to Primera B, Win Sports reported.
Stadium Darkness Delays Kickoff
More than an hour passed before action got underway in Cúcuta due to an unexpected power outage at the General Santander venue, according to AS Colombia. Floodlights failed just before the scheduled 6:30 p.m. kickoff, pushing the start time back to 7:45 p.m. amid a colorful reception by the home supporters and a pyrotechnics show.
The failure of the electrical service at the venue forced a delay to the opening whistle, as recalled by a loyal local fan known as Pulpito during an interview with Caracol Radio. Entonces nosotros pensamos que era algo de uno o dos minutos, pero cuando nos detuvimos a pensar esto se alargó: 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, hasta 40 minutos,
he noted regarding the mounting uncertainty felt by supporters waiting in complete darkness.
Ya se iba a iniciar, ya el árbitro iba a dar el pitazo para iniciar el partido cuando ¡pum!, quedamos a oscuras,
recalled local fan Pulpito in an interview with Caracol Radio, noting that supporters waited through the 40-minute delay.
Jaider Peralta Creates the Winner
The decisive breakthrough arrived in the 62nd minute of the match. A cross from the right flank found Jaime Peralta at the far post, who won the aerial duel and laid the ball off for Léider Berdugo to tap home from close range, as detailed by AS Colombia.
ESPN Colombia noted that Santa Fe had controlled moments of the second half through veteran striker Hugo Rodallega and Alexis Zapata, but failed to convert their chances before Cúcuta struck. The visiting side threatened early on through attempts from distance and a shot safely gathered by Federico Abadía, while Cúcuta tested the goalkeeper through efforts from Gustavo Torres and Tobías Sánchez before the break.
Cúcuta Climbs to 10th as Jaguares Faces Relegation
With the 1-0 victory, Cúcuta reached 40 points in the aggregate relegation table, establishing an insurmountable gap over Jaguares de Córdoba, El Tiempo reported. Jaguares joins Boyacá Chicó as the two clubs dropping down to the second division for 2027, with the Montería club finishing its cycle in the top flight and facing the task of rebuilding its sporting project in the second tier.
The win also lifted Cúcuta to 10th place with 24 points, putting them just one point outside the top eight qualification spots for the semifinals, according to AS Colombia.
Meanwhile, Santa Fe remained in fifth place with 28 points despite the loss, keeping them virtually secure in the next phase even as the defeat deepened a difficult run that included a loss to Atlético Nacional and a Copa BetPlay elimination against Once Caldas.
Next Fixtures
Cúcuta Deportivo will travel to face Junior in their next league fixture, while Independiente Santa Fe returns home to host Deportivo Pasto at Estadio El Campín, AS Colombia reported.
