Boyacá Chicó secured a vital 1-0 victory against Atlético Bucaramanga in Tunja, breathing temporary life into their fight against relegation in the Liga BetPlay. The lone goal came from Alejandro Maya in the 64th minute, enough to overcome a determined opponent and claim three crucial points at home.
The fixture, played on Friday, October 23, 2026, carried immense weight for the Tunja side as they attempt to maintain viva la esperanza en la tabla del descenso. While Boyacá Chicó remains near the bottom of the aggregate table, the narrow win provides a psychological boost in a tense campaign.
How the Match Unfolded in Tunja
The first half saw plenty of transition play but few concrete scoring chances. Both teams initiated attacks early, though the home side applied consistent pressure out of necessity. Maya signaled intent early with a shot that struck near Diego Novoa’s post in the 13th minute. Chicó maintained a medium-high block, keeping Bucaramanga off balance, while the visitors struggled to find precision in the final third. Emerson Batalla squandered a glaring opportunity for Bucaramanga with a close-range header that sailed wide, and Daniel Polanco rattled the left goalpost for the hosts just before the midway point of the half.
The deadlock finally broke 19 minutes into the second stanza. Estiven Sarria surged down the right flank after latching onto a deep pass that pierced the visiting defense, delivering a precise cross for Maya, who beat his marker to finish from close range.
Trailing by a goal, Pablo Peirano’s men pushed forward in search of an equalizer. Fabián Sambueza nearly leveled the score in the 79th minute with a placed shot that struck the left corner of the frame. Three minutes later, Batalla found himself alone in front of the goalkeeper but missed wide of the right post once again.
Relegation Battle and Standings Context
The defeat snapped a 13-match unbeaten run for Atlético Bucaramanga, though the team remains fifth in the standings with 25 points and well positioned for the upcoming cuadrangulares. For Chicó, the three points lift them to 15 points in 15th place.
In the broader relegation battle, Jaguares de Córdoba sits at the bottom with a 0.8485 average. Boyacá Chicó improved its standing slightly, reaching 101 points across 112 matches for a 0.9018 average, keeping them alongside Jaguares in the provisional relegation spots pending further results.
The 2026-II calendar has faced considerable disruption due to earlier match postponements, including adjustments stemming from the August 10 earthquake, leaving teams with an uneven number of played fixtures.
Boyacá Chicó is scheduled to face Junior de Barranquilla on October 27, while Bucaramanga prepares to visit Santa Fe in the next round of fixtures.
