Colombia’s Liga BetPlay Dimayor is ready to deliver a festive football spectacle as the 2025 Clausura playoffs kick off. The top eight teams are set, the playoff draw has been made, and fans can finally breathe—they’re about to experience the most thrilling weeks of the season, where passion, skill, and drama collide across the country.
Medellín and Deportes Tolima Secure Invisible Point
The league synchronized kickoff times for the final matches that would determine playoff spots and the coveted “invisible point”—a special advantage that allows the top two teams in each group to advance directly in case of a tie at the end of the playoffs. Fans could watch all the action on Colombian national sports broadcaster Win Sports’ YouTube channel.
Deportes Tolima, the popular regional team from Ibagué and 2024 Dimayor finalists, and Independiente Medellín, Colombia’s in-form powerhouse, both secured the invisible point. Tolima defeated Águilas Doradas 2–1. The 21-year-old forward Mauricio Gonzalez gave Tolima the early lead, and after a frantic final 15 minutes, the team held on from 2-0 despite a 93rd-minute consolation from Doradas. Tolima closed the regular season with five straight wins, six out of seven, conceding just three goals.
Independiente Medellín finished the regular season with a league-leading 12-4-4 record. Fresh off a Copa Colombia final qualification, they showcased the FPC’s most potent attack. Brayan Leon participated in the goal scoring, and Alexis Serna added two more, leaving América de Cali unable to respond. Medellín haven’t lost since a 5–2 defeat to Atlético Nacional in the Clasico Paisa—a showdown fans will see again soon.
Millonarios The Biggest Name To Miss Liga BetPlay Dimayor Playoffs
Bogotá giants Millonarios stumbled to a disappointing 12th-place finish (7-5-8) after a poor start. Key departures, like Daniel Ruiz on loan to CSKA Moscow, left the team unable to mount an effective attack. The Blue Ballet feel a long way removed from Radamel Falcao’s triumphant return to the club and their fans are demanding better as they expect to be on the level with other “grande” clubs like Atletico Nacional, America de Cali, and Junior.
Other clubs faced struggles off the pitch: Deportivo Pereira endured financial crisis and is for sale, while last place La Equidad will rebrand under new U.S. investors. Deportivo Cali and Once Caldas, led by Dayro Moreno to a strong run in the Copa Sudamericana, also missed the playoffs.
Defending Champions Santa Fe Can Still Repeat As Champions
Santa Fe, the other Bogotá powerhouse, sneaked into the final eight thanks to Harold Mosquera, whose clutch goals have defined the season. His stoppage-time strike to eliminate Alianza and secure playoff qualification might not have gone viral like his previous heroics in the last game, but it was just as decisive. Santa Fe won three consecutive games to reach the playoffs.
Mosquera has tallied 10 goals and six assists this season, while veteran 40-year-old Hugo Rodallega continues to prove that class is permanent with 21 goals in 2025. América de Cali also recovered from serious financial difficulties, powered by Peruvian Luis Ramos (12 goals), to clinch a playoff spot after an awful start to their season.
Copa Colombia Final To Be Defined on Sunday
América de Cali faces a tough task to overturn a 4–1 aggregate deficit against Atlético Nacional, though they have home advantage. Nacional missed out on the invisible point after losing their final regular-season game to Junior Barranquilla, who staged a comeback with two second-half goals after Alfredo Morelos’ opener. Junior had relentless second half pressure to comeback and win 2-1.
Junior, who banned Atletico Nacional fans from their stadium, displayed the fire and threat they will carry into the playoffs. Verdolaga veterans Edwin Cardona and Marlos Moreno continued to struggle in this phase of the season and young goalkeeper Luis Marquínez struggled on the night. Diego Arias team is talented, but their a big fall in level depending on lineup, and away from home.
Group A The Tougher Of The Two Playoff Groups
The playoff draw, broadcast live on Win Sports, was completed. Group A, the “group of death,” features first and third-place Independiente Medellín and Atlético Nacional, promising at least two more Clasico Paisa clashes in their shared stadium. Junior and América de Cali are also here, meaning three of the four Copa Colombia semifinalists are in a single group.
Group B, the “regional” group, features Deportes Tolima, Atlético Bucaramanga, defending champions Santa Fe, and rising Fortaleza. These home-and-away matchups are notoriously unpredictable, and it’s possible to be champion without having an impressive regular season.
Colombian football fans can expect drama, flair, and unforgettable moments, this Clausura playoff series promises to be a festival of passion, goals, and the kind of unpredictability that makes Liga BetPlay Dimayor uniquely captivating.
Main Photo Credit: Imago Images Copyright: xDanielxGarzonxHerazo
