Betplay League standings: Nacional won and moved into first place; Millonarios failed in Manizales

Colombian professional soccer's Sunday round featured three exciting, goal-filled matches on Matchday 18. Nacional won and climbed to the top of the standings, Once Caldas tied with Millonarios and is close to qualification, and Deportivo Cali lost to Alianza, complicating their run in the semifinals.

In the first round, Alianza FC made a statement in the race to qualify for the semifinals and defeated Deportivo Cali (2-0) to keep the hope of qualifying alive.

Felipe Pardo was the star of the show at the Armando Mestre Pavajeau Stadium in Valledupar with his double to bury Deportivo Cali's hopes.

With the win, Alianza climbed to tenth place in the standings with 26 points and still have hopes of qualifying. Deportivo Cali moved away from the possibility of playing in the quadrangulars and, with 24 points, is on the verge of elimination.

Nacional did their homework at the Atanasio Girardot stadium and defeated (2-1) the eliminated Llaneros in a match that was becoming complicated at the end and with a roster made up of players who are usually substitutes.

Andrés Sarmiento took advantage of the opportunity presented to him by coach Javier Gandolfi and scored a double for the win. Michael Rangel scored for Llaneros, adding suspense to the match at the end.

Atlético Nacional, which had qualified several matches earlier, moved up to the top of the table with 35 points. Llaneros remained in 16th place with 17 points.

Manizales' Palogrande Stadium was the epicenter of a tremendous match between Once Caldas and Millonarios that ended with a flurry of goals. The Ambassadors secured a 2-2 draw in their visit to Manizales and postponed their opponent's qualification.

Jerson Malagón and Jorge Cardona scored the goals for the Manizales native, breaking Álvaro Montero 's long unbeaten run of 730 minutes without conceding a goal in the league. Kevin Palacios and Andrés Llinás saved Millonarios at the Palogrande.

Millonarios lost the chance to be second and finished in third place with 32 points. Once Caldas missed out on securing qualification and finished in seventh place with 30 points.