América Faces Fortaleza in Crucial Liga Betplay Clash

CALÍ, Colombia — América de Cali is set to square off against Fortaleza CEIF in a pivotal match for the Liga Betplay on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. COL at Pascual Guerrero Stadium. The fixture marks the eleventh round of the tournament, and both teams are looking to secure crucial points for their season aspirations.

América, currently positioned high in the league standings with 21 points from ten games, aims to reclaim its lead against Atlético Nacional. Coach Jorge ‘Polilla’ Da Silva emphasized the importance of the match, stating, “This game is critical for us to strengthen our chances for the playoffs.”

In contrast, Fortaleza finds itself near the bottom of the table, having accumulated only ten points in the same number of matches. They are in urgent need of a victory to maintain hopes for survival in the top division. Coach Sebastián Oliveros remarked, “We approach this game with the intent to change our fortunes and push for that vital win.”

The last encounter between the two teams ended in a 1-1 draw in September of the previous year. However, prior to that, the last home match for América was a dominant performance, scoring a comprehensive victory over Boyacá Chicó.

Highlighting América’s campaign is midfielder Juan Fernando Quintero, who is back in the lineup after scoring a stunning goal in their latest outing. His contributions have been significant, tallying two goals and three assists this season. “JuanFer has a special ability to change the dynamics of a game,” Da Silva noted.

The match becomes even more crucial for América as they prepare for their upcoming debut in the CONMEBOL Sudamericana group stage against Racing de Montevideo. A win against Fortaleza could set a positive tone for their international campaign.

América’s lineup includes notable changes as Da Silva opts for a rotation system, resting several key players ahead of the continental match. Notably, Santiago Silva will start as goalkeeper, with a defensive line comprising Andrés Mosquera, Brayan Medina, and others. In the midfield, Franco Leys will represent alongside José Cavadía amidst changes to boost squad depth.

The match will be broadcasted live on WIN+ and is set to draw significant attention as both teams vie for a vital outcome. Expected kickoff times for various regions include:

• Colombia, Peru, Ecuador: 8:00 p.m.
• Mexico: 7:00 p.m.
• Venezuela, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay: 9:00 p.m.
• Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil: 10:00 p.m.

As anticipation builds, fans from both sides are preparing for an exciting evening of football in Cali, eager to see their teams prevail in a tightly contested matchup.