Millonarios and Santa Fe play for a place in the final in the derby: Group B standings and what each team can count on.

Millonarios and Santa Fe did their homework on Matchday 5 of Group B of the Liga MX, winning their respective matches. On Thursday, in the capital's derby, they will play in Bogotá for a spot in the championship final, where first-place Independiente Medellín awaits. Although both teams have 9 points, the blue team, with a sporting advantage, depends on a draw; the cardenales must win. Nacional and Once Caldas have said goodbye.

Nacional was forced to win, playing at home in a packed stadium, but they were surprised by Millonarios, whose main weapon was Falcao García, a lethal weapon. El Tigre scored the only goal of the match with an extraordinary finish. In the 44th minute, Daniel Cataño played a pass into space, one of those passes El Tigre loves so much, and he chipped, controlled, faced David Ospina, eluded him, let him go, and scored, one of those goals Falcao has scored countless times in his career. There were doubts, an apparent offside, but the VAR review confirmed it was a legal goal, 0-1.

By that point, Nacional had done more for the game. Campuzano had hit a shot off the right post defended by Álvaro Montero. Alfredo Morelos had a chance and sent the ball wide, although he was later called for offside. They also tried a pass from Billy Arce to Marino, but Marino, an unknown player, couldn't control the ball and missed a great opportunity.

In the second half, Nacional was expected to be aggressive, a team that would shake off the goal and show its best side, as even a draw wouldn't do, but the team lacked decisiveness and clarity. Morelos had a great chance, but his header was flawed. Time was running out for the Verdolaga team, and they had another chance towards the end when Zapata headed in a shot that looked like a goal, but it didn't. Millonarios controlled the score and threatened on the counterattacks, and even managed to finish it off with Santiago Giordana. Millonarios won, reaching 9 points, and leading Group B by a sporting advantage.

Earlier, Santa Fe achieved the victory it needed. They defeated Once Caldas 1-0 at El Campín, and that was enough. At the final whistle, the Santa Fe fans looked to the heavens. Those fans couldn't believe it. It was true that their team, the same one whose play they sometimes don't like, had shown its best effort to win, and they depend on themselves to reach the final. They must win the derby.

At the start, it looked like things would be different: Once Caldas looked like the home team. They played, dominated, gradually built up their chances, looked for the goal, and Santa Fe suffered. Within 15 minutes, goalkeeper Marmolejo began his show as goalkeeper. Once Caldas challenged Santa Fe with a quick touch, a deep pass along the wing, a cross into the box, and Barrios smashed the ball from point-blank range against the goalkeeper, who made the save even with his face. The Cardinals' defense was a mess. A sea of ​​nerves. The Reds' fans could have sensed another terrible night, but they didn't...

Since the faith of the people of Santa Fe is one of those that, they say, can move mountains, in the 40th minute Hugo Rodallega attempted a volley, but Mateo Rodas blocked it like a basketball player with both arms, and the ball hit his elbow. VAR intervened, the referee awarded the penalty, Rodallega took it with fury and scored the only goal of the match. Santa Fe won and is in the game.

Millonarios' sporting advantage was achieved through its position in the round-robin phase. This advantage, also known as an invisible point, allows it to advance to the final if it ties with another team in first place. As things stand, the blues and reds have 9 points, and goal difference doesn't matter.

Millonarios will go to the final with a draw, since that invisible point gives them the advantage.

Santa Fe will advance to the final only if it defeats Millonarios in the capital's derby.