America de Cali booked their place in the group stage of the Copa Sudamericana after defeating Atletico Bucaramanga 2-1 in the single-match first round played at Pascual Guerrero Stadium.

The visitors took the lead through Argentine winger Fabián Sambueza, but América responded before halftime with a penalty from Yeison Guzmán. In the second half, young forward Tilman Palacios scored the decisive goal.

Sambueza opens the scoring

For much of the first half, América controlled possession through the creativity of Guzmán but struggled to break through a well-organized Bucaramanga defense led by Jefferson Mena and José García.

The opening goal arrived in the 23rd minute when Sambueza struck a free kick that passed the wall and slipped just inside the post.

Near the end of the first half, América equalized after García fouled Jan Lucumí inside the box. Guzmán converted the penalty with a powerful shot past goalkeeper Aldair Quintana.

Palacios seals the win

América continued pressing in the second half. In the 55th minute, Rafael Carrascal delivered a cross-field pass that reached Palacios inside the area. The young attacker fired a strong shot to make it 2-1.

Bucaramanga attempted to respond, but their task became more difficult when Aldair Gutiérrez was sent off for a second yellow card after a foul on Carrascal.

Late chances from América, led by Adrián Ramos, did not change the scoreline. The victory secured América de Cali’s place in the Sudamericana group stage.

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