Atletico Nacional edged towards the Copa Colombia final thanks to James’ maiden strike in a 1-1 draw at Once Caldas, setting up a potential showdown with America de Cali, who claimed a 1-2 victory at Inter Bogota.
James Rodríguez bagged his first goal in the colours of At. Nacional on Tuesday, salvaging a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Copa Colombia semi-final away to Once Caldas.
The 35-year-old former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich playmaker chested down a long pass from centre-back William Tesillo inside the box before drilling a first-time, left-footed strike to level at 1-1 in the 82nd minute. The midfielder celebrated ecstatically at the Estadio Palogrande in Manizales, marking his 10th appearance for the ‘Verdolaga’.
Once Caldas had taken the lead in the 38th minute courtesy of a header from forward Luis Felipe Gómez. Both sides finished with 10 men following second-half expulsions: Gómez picked up a second yellow card in the 75th minute, while Atlético Nacional’s Argentine midfielder Elías Cabrera was given his marching orders in the 80th. The return leg takes place next Tuesday at the Atanasio Girardot stadium in Medellín.
In the other semi-final, América de Cali took a huge step towards the showpiece with a 1-2 triumph in Bogotá against Internacional. The hosts took an early lead through Uruguayan Fabricio Sanguinetti in the fifth minute, but were reduced to 10 men on 11 minutes when midfielder Dewar Victoria saw red. ‘La Mecha’ capitalised ruthlessly, turning the tie around before the break with goals from centre-back Marlon Torres in the 42nd minute and Venezuelan midfielder Edson Tortolero in the 44th.
