Santa Fe Beats Fortaleza on Penalties to Reach Copa BetPlay Quarterfinals

Independiente Santa Fe advanced to the Copa BetPlay quarterfinals after defeating Fortaleza 9-8 in a penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw at the Municipal Stadium in Mosquera, Colombia, on October 11, 2026. According to reports from AS Colombia and Claro Sports, the teams exchanged goals before Santa Fe secured qualification in a lengthy shootout.

Santa Fe will face Once Caldas in a single-match quarterfinal at Estadio Palogrande, although the fixture date has not yet been confirmed, AS Colombia reported. The winner of that tie will meet the winner of the Nacional versus Medellín matchup in the semifinals.

Hugo Rodallega opened the scoring in the 20th minute, finishing a move after Luis Palacios left the ball available inside the penalty area. Fortaleza equalized in the 42nd minute when Mexican forward Teun Wilke headed home a cross, punishing a defensive lapse by the home side.

The equalizer sparked protests from Santa Fe players because Nahuel Bustos was down with a leg problem while awaiting treatment and a possible substitution. According to Noticias RCN, the visitors continued their attack rather than putting the ball out of play. The referee was responsible for deciding whether to stop the match, meaning Fortaleza players were not required to interrupt play themselves.

Rodallega received a yellow card for protesting, while tensions also flared between players following the goal. The incident added to an already physical contest played on a pitch that drew criticism from spectators and commentators because of its condition.

Santa Fe regained the lead shortly after halftime. In the 48th minute, Franco Fagúndez delivered a pass into the path of Palacios, who moved into the penalty area and beat goalkeeper Williams Barsalina to make it 2-1.

Fortaleza responded eight minutes later, in the 56th minute. Goalkeeper Weimar Asprilla failed to control a shot from outside the area, allowing Franco Pulicastro to collect the rebound and score from close range, restoring parity at 2-2.

Fortaleza continued to threaten through aerial attacks as Santa Fe struggled to maintain its attacking presence. Asprilla denied Wilke another headed opportunity in the 72nd minute, although the referee subsequently ruled a foul by the Fortaleza forward. A late Fortaleza goal was disallowed for offside against Cuero in the 89th minute, according to AS Colombia.

The match also presented difficult playing conditions. AS Colombia reported that the uneven surface caused the ball to bounce unpredictably, making control difficult and raising concerns about potential injuries. Bustos's first-half problem occurred during the same period, although the reports did not establish that the pitch caused his injury.

After neither team found a winning goal during regulation time, the contest proceeded to penalties. Santa Fe eventually prevailed 9-8 after Leonardo Pico missed his attempt and Helibelton Palacios converted the decisive kick, according to Claro Sports and AS Colombia. The result kept Santa Fe in the competition and ended Fortaleza's run in the tournament.