Week 12 saw the top three all drop points, while Atletico Nacional picked up their first domestic league win in seven games with a narrow victory against Tunja minnows Patriotas.
Deportivo Cali began the weekends round of games with a 1-1 draw at home against Deportes Quindio. Hilton Murillo gave the visitors an early lead in the 13th minute minute, but the struggling Armenia club were were unable to hang to their lead in front of 21,000 fans at the Estadio Olimpico Pascuel Guerrero. Midfielder Alvaro Dominguez pulled Deportivo level in the 72nd minute to keep the Caleños in 7th place, while Quindio remain 17th.
On Saturday evening Antioquia rivals Independiente Medellin and Itagui Ditaires shared the points with a 1-1 draw. Visitors Medellin took the lead in the 12th minute through Jonathan Estrada, before the home side drew level with Efrain Viafara's 31st minute strike. Andres Ortiz's 70th minute dismissal put 'El Poderoso' on the back foot, but Itagui were unable to capitalise and the game finished all square.
Boyaca Chico picked up an excellent 5-2 win against bottom club Cucuta Deportivo. The first half finished a goal a piece, with goals from Correa and Nuñez. Luis Iriate raised the hopes for the handful of visiting Cucuta fans, but yet another defensive collapse by self proclaimed 'doblamente glorioso' saw the away side concede four in a disasterous 15 minute spell. Goals by Castro, Nuñez, Correa and Perlaza move Chico up into 14th position, while Cucuta remained routed to the foot of the table.
An excellent second half performance gave Junior a superb 3-1 win over high flying Atletico Huila at midday on Saturday. Veteran Colombian playmaker Giovanni Hernandez gave 'the sharks' the lead in the 27th minute, before Paraguayan striker Digno Gonzalez pulled the home side level 2 minutes later. The Barranquilla club came out for the second half in inspired form, and picked up the win with goals by Macias and Ruiz.
League leaders Tolima were denied 3 important points away against Millonarios in the capital on Sunday afternoon. Andres Andrade gave the table toppers the lead in the 60th minute, but Humberto Osorio was able snatch an 89th minute equalizer in front of 12,000 fans at El Campin. The point keeps Tolima top, while Millonarios stay within touch of the play-offs in 10th.
Millonarios gave La Equidad the opportunity to move to the top of the table, but the 'insurers' were unable to capitalise as they were beaten by Bogota rivals Santa Fe. Argentine midfielder Omar Perez scored the decisive goal in the 74th minute, to give the visitors the edge in a tight game. The 3 points means that Santa Fe move up into second, while La Equidad drop find themselves in forth on goal difference.
Elsewhere on Saturday Once Caldas were held 1-1 at home against Envigado, while Real Cartagena shared the points with Pasto in a game which ended with a goal each.
After a run of six games without a win in the league, Atletico Nacional finally picked up a vital three points with a narrow win home against minnows Patriotas. Dorlan Pabon scored the decisive goal from the penalty spot, in a disappointingly scrappy game. Both sides finished a player short, and 10 yellow cards were brandished by Harold Perilla. Nacional's inspired Copa Libertadores form, which has seen them qualify comfortably from a tough group, has been distinctly lacking in their league displays. The Medellin giants move up into 12th with their vital win, three points outisde the championship play-offs, while Patriotas remain a point ahead in 11th.
Results and Highlights
Itagui 1-1 Independiente Medellin
Atletico Nacional 1-0 Patriotas
Top Scorers
8 - Humberto Osorio (Millonarios)
7 - Dorlan Pabon (Atletico Nacional)
7 - Robin Ramirez (Deportes Tolima)
6 - Giovanni Hernandez (Junior)
6 - Milton Rodriguez (Huila)
6 - Jose Correa (Boyaca Chico)
