Parra's Stoppage-Time Strike Sends Tolima to Brink of Final

IBAGUÉ, Colombia — Adrián Parra broke Santa Fe hearts in the fourth minute of stoppage time as Deportes Tolima secured a dramatic 1-0 victory that leaves the Vinotinto y Oro on the doorstep of the Liga BetPlay Dimayor final. In a match defined by missed chances, goalkeeper heroics, and a controversial refereeing blunder, the Pijao prevailed when it mattered most.

The drama began almost immediately at the Murillo Toro. Tolima goalkeeper Cristopher Fiermarín collapsed in visible distress during the seventh minute, tears streaming down his face as he signaled to the bench. The nature of the injury remained unclear, but the emotional scenes suggested something serious. Brazilian backup Neto Volpi entered the fray, thrust into the pressure cooker of a semifinal with virtually no warning.

Tolima wasted no time testing their opponents. Yílmar Velásquez fired the first warning shot in just the second minute, his left-footed effort sailing narrowly over the crossbar after Jerson González carved open space behind Santa Fe's retreating defense. The pattern was set—the hosts would dominate territorially while the defending champions struggled to establish any foothold.

The chances continued to flow for Tolima. In the 11th minute, Yhorman Hurtado delivered a dangerous cross that found Mauricio González unmarked, but the midfielder's header drifted wide. Moments later, Adrián Parra tested Andrés Mosquera Marmolejo from the left side of the box, only for the Santa Fe goalkeeper to parry the effort away.

Mosquera Marmolejo would prove the difference between a comfortable Tolima victory and the tense affair that unfolded. The veteran goalkeeper produced save after save, denying González, Parra, and Kevin Pérez in quick succession during a relentless first-half assault. His seven saves on the night kept the champions in contention when their outfield players offered little protection.

Santa Fe's best opportunity of the opening period arrived in the 22nd minute. Elvis Perlaza's cross found Omar Fernández in the center of the box, and his shot appeared destined for the net until Volpi—settling quickly into his unexpected role—produced an excellent stop. The rebound fell to Yeicar Perlaza, whose follow-up flew high and wide.

The physical nature of the contest saw referee Jhon Hinestroza reach for his cards repeatedly. Ewil Murillo received a yellow in just the fourth minute for a foul on Jerson González—a booking that would prove fateful. Mauricio González, Anderson Angulo, Elvis Perlaza, Jersson González, and Marlon Torres all joined him in the book as challenges flew in from both sides.

The second half brought more of the same—Tolima pressure, Santa Fe resistance, and Mosquera Marmolejo excellence. Parra tested the goalkeeper again in the 47th minute after brilliant work from Hurtado, but the stopper stood firm. At the other end, Volpi denied Hugo Rodallega with a superb save in the 73rd minute, tipping the veteran striker's effort over the bar for a corner.

Then came the moment that changed everything—and sparked fury on the Santa Fe bench.

In the 76th minute, Ewil Murillo fouled Jerson González near the halfway line. Hinestroza produced a yellow card. The problem: Murillo had already been booked in the fourth minute. The referee appeared to have forgotten entirely, showing what should have been an automatic second yellow as if it were the defender's first caution.

Players from both teams immediately surrounded the official, pointing and gesturing. Santa Fe's coaching staff had been preparing substitutes John Meléndez and Alexis Zapata to enter the match—and Murillo was one of the players they intended to remove. Hugo Rodallega's anger was visible from the stands as he realized the magnitude of the error. After consultation, Hinestroza corrected his mistake and showed Murillo red, but the damage to Santa Fe's concentration was done.

Down to ten men, Santa Fe retreated deeper as Tolima sensed blood. Volpi denied Rodallega once more, while Mosquera Marmolejo continued his one-man resistance at the other end. As the clock ticked past 90 minutes and five additional minutes were announced, it appeared the match would end goalless.

It did not.

In the 94th minute, Juan Torres received possession in midfield and spotted Parra's intelligent run between the Santa Fe center-backs. The pass was weighted perfectly, sliding through the channel as Parra timed his movement to stay onside. One touch to control, then a clinical right-footed finish into the top left corner before Mosquera Marmolejo could close the angle.

The Murillo Toro erupted. Parra wheeled away in celebration, earning a yellow card for his exuberance but caring not one bit. His sixth goal of the campaign had arrived at the perfect moment—his persistence throughout the 90-plus minutes finally rewarded when it mattered most.

The goal encapsulated Tolima's evening. They had dominated possession at 54% to Santa Fe's 46%, unleashed 18 shots to their opponents' 11, and forced Mosquera Marmolejo into a career-defining performance. That they required a stoppage-time winner owed entirely to the Santa Fe goalkeeper's brilliance and their own profligacy in front of goal.

For Santa Fe, the defeat compounds a difficult period. Having won three of their previous four matches entering the night, the champions now face an uphill battle to salvage their title defense. The loss of Murillo to suspension adds further complications, while questions will linger about how different the final 15 minutes might have looked had the referee remembered his earlier booking.

Deportes Tolima, meanwhile, continue their extraordinary run. This victory extended their unbeaten streak and marked their fourth win in five matches. With head-to-head results against Santa Fe now level in recent encounters after the champions' 1-0 victory in Bogotá back in July, goal difference and remaining fixtures will prove crucial.

The Vinotinto y Oro stand tantalizingly close to the final. One more positive result should seal their place. For a club that has endured near-misses and heartbreak in recent seasons, the finishing line is finally in sight.

Adrián Parra made sure of that.