Video: The childish hand of Jose Escobar endangered the America of Cali in Bogotá

América de Cali secured a 2-0 victory over Internacional de Bogotá in a Liga BetPlay Dimayor match held in Bogotá on Sunday, July 26. The win marked the team's first success in the league this season, earning them three points in the early stages of the national championship. The match took place at the Estadio Nemesio Camacho El Campín, where América had previously been eliminated from a tournament after losing 4-0 to Independiente Santa Fe. This time, they returned to Bogotá with a renewed focus, aiming to claim their first win of the campaign. The game saw América take control early, generating several chances despite being the away side. A key moment came in the fifth minute when a collective play led to a deflected shot by forward Luis Quiñones. América’s coaching staff made an immediate tactical adjustment in the 17th minute of the first half when winger Jhon Murillo was substituted due to a physical complaint. He was replaced by Jhon Tilman Palacios, who would later contribute significantly to the team’s offensive efforts. Throughout the first half, América maintained possession while Internacional de Bogotá attempted counterattacks without much success. Goalkeeper Jean Fernandes kept a clean sheet through the break, ensuring the score remained 0-0. In the second half, América’s dominance translated into goal-scoring opportunities. A cross from Luis Quiñones found its way to Jhon Tilman Palacios, who headed home the opening goal for América. Minutes later, a penalty was awarded after goalkeeper Kevin Cataño fouled midfielder Yeison Guzmán inside the box. Guzmán converted the spot-kick, extending América’s lead to 2-0. With the score at 2-0, the tension rose in the final stages of the match. A defensive challenge by Josen Escobar resulted in contact with the ball using his hand during a duel with Johan Garcés. The referee consulted the video assistant referee (VAR) system and confirmed the handball, awarding a penalty to Internacional de Bogotá. Forward Facundo Boné stepped up to take the kick, but Brazilian goalkeeper Jean Fernandes saved the attempt, preserving América’s two-goal advantage until the final whistle. This result positions América de Cali strongly in the early rounds of the league, giving them momentum as they continue their campaign. With the win, the team has added crucial points to their tally, setting the stage for future matches in the competition. The performance highlighted both the team’s resilience and tactical adjustments, reinforcing their competitive edge in the league.