Jaguares Snatch Dramatic 3-2 Win Over Tolima in Liga BetPlay Relegation Battle

Jaguares de Montería produced a stunning late turnaround to defeat Deportes Tolima 3-2 at the Estadio Jaraguay in round 14 of the Liga BetPlay 2026-II season. Darwin López scored the decisive goal deep into stoppage time, handing the Córdoba-based side only their second win of the championship and dealing a blow to Tolima’s hopes of securing a top-eight finish.

The result leaves Jaguares still rooted to the bottom of the table but breathing new life into their survival campaign. For Tolima, who arrived in Montería knowing a victory would cement their place among the qualifying group, the defeat represents a significant setback.

Key facts

First-half surprise: Jaguares take the lead

The match began with a clear contrast in form and league position. Jaguares entered as the league’s bottom side, while Tolima needed a win to strengthen their grip on a top-eight spot. Yet it was the home side who dictated the early tempo.

Inside five minutes, Andrés Rentería struck the post after forcing an error in the Tolima defence. Jaguares combined disciplined defensive organisation with quick transitions, exploiting space behind the Tolima backline. Franklin Mosquera in the Jaguares goal made two sharp saves from Junior Hernández and Ever Valencia to keep the scores level.

The breakthrough came five minutes before half-time. Luis Enrique Jiménez, who had been relatively quiet in the opening half, unleashed a powerful strike from outside the area. The ball beat Tolima goalkeeper Neto Volpi at his near post, nestling inside the left-hand upright.

Jaguares double the lead through substitute

The home side continued to press after the interval. Johar Mejía came close to doubling the lead with another long-range effort that flew narrowly wide.

Tolima responded through Edwar López, whose shot was deflected by Mosquera onto the woodwork in the 55th minute. In a bizarre moment shortly after, Tolima’s Jherson Mosquera struck a powerful shot that appeared destined for goal but struck teammate Adrián Parra.

Jaguares made their pressure count in the 66th minute. Substitute Esteban Beltrán, on the pitch for only four minutes, repeated Jiménez’s trick by firing a low drive from distance into the near post, giving Volpi no chance and making it 2-0.

Adrián Parra double sparks Tolima fightback

With a two-goal cushion, Jaguares appeared in control. However, a defensive lapse in the 78th minute allowed Adrián Parra to pull one back, finishing calmly after a loose ball in the area.

The goal transformed the contest. Tolima pushed forward with renewed urgency, and with four minutes of regular time remaining, Parra struck again. The forward equalised from close range, completing his brace and seemingly rescuing a point for the visitors.

Darwin López wins it in stoppage time

Just as Tolima appeared to have salvaged a draw, Jaguares produced one final twist. In the second minute of stoppage time, Darwin López capitalised on a defensive error, rounded Neto Volpi, and slotted into an empty net to spark wild celebrations at the Estadio Jaraguay.

The victory moves Jaguares to six points for the season, still nine points adrift of safety with eight rounds remaining. For Tolima, the defeat leaves them on 22 points, outside the top eight on goal difference and facing increased pressure to qualify for the final phase.

What this means for the league

Jaguares’ win injects a rare moment of optimism into a difficult campaign defined by defensive solidity but a lack of cutting edge. The team’s ability to score three goals against a side chasing the top eight suggests there is still fight in the squad, though the relegation gap remains significant.

For Tolima, the loss is a missed opportunity. A win would have moved them comfortably into the qualifying positions. Instead, they must regroup quickly to avoid dropping further behind in a tightly contested mid-table battle.

Source: AS Futbol – https://colombia.as.com/futbol/triunfo-agonico-jaguares-vence-a-tolima-y-lo-complica-en-liga-f202610-n/