In a tightly contested Monday night battle at Estadio de La Independencia, Boyacá Chicó and Deportivo Pereira played out a 1-1 draw that encapsulated both sides’ recent struggles for consistency in the Colombian Primera A Clausura. The result leaves Chico anchored at the bottom of the table, while Pereira’s hopes for a top-eight playoff push remain in the balance.

The match burst into life in the first half as Deportivo Pereira, sitting 12th in the standings, seized an early advantage through Samy Jr Merheg, who found the net in the 26th minute after latching onto a clever pass from J. Largacha. Merheg’s finish, a clinical strike from inside the box, gave the visitors a slender lead against the run of play, as Chico had been dictating possession and tempo.

Despite the setback, Chico responded with increasing urgency. The hosts pressed forward, dominating the ball with 58% possession and peppering the Pereira goal with 15 shots, six of which were on target. Pereira, meanwhile, struggled to create chances, managing just a single effort on target from their seven total attempts.

Chico’s persistence paid dividends after the break. In a sustained period of pressure, they finally broke through, earning a penalty in the 58th minute after a clumsy foul in the box. The resultant spot-kick was coolly converted, leveling the score and igniting the home crowd. Both sides traded blows in the final half hour, but neither could produce a decisive moment, despite Chico forcing seven corners and coming close on several occasions.

The encounter was marked by physicality, with a combined total of 30 fouls and nine yellow cards—six for Pereira and three for Chico—reflecting the stakes and intensity as the season’s second half heats up. Defensively, Pereira’s backline weathered a late Chico storm, with goalkeeper Denis E. making several crucial interventions to preserve the point.

For Chico, the draw offers a glimmer of hope but little solace as they remain rooted to 20th place, desperate for wins to escape the relegation zone. Pereira, meanwhile, will rue their inability to hold onto the lead and capitalize on their rivals’ vulnerability, but the away point keeps them within striking distance of postseason contention.

The match may not have produced a winner, but it delivered the drama and urgency that define Colombia’s top flight—reminding both clubs that, in this league, every point counts and every missed opportunity could haunt them come season’s end.