SANTIAGO (Interstat) — Maria Morales scored twice and Deportivo Cali built a three-goal lead before holding off Universidad de Chile 3-2 on Thursday in a global football game. Morales opened the scoring in the 7th minute, Y. Guerra Meneses I. doubled the advantage in the 17th, and Morales struck again in the 35th to put the visitors in control. Universidad de Chile answered through Fatima Acosta in the 39th minute, and Daniela Zamora was credited with the home side’s other goal as the hosts cut into the deficit. Deportivo Cali improved to 2-0-1 in the competition and 2-0-1 across all competitions. Universidad de Chile fell to 0-2-1 in the competition and 1-2-1 overall. The result kept Deportivo Cali unbeaten in the competition and across all competitions, while Universidad de Chile remained without a win in this competition despite one overall victory this season.

The most important stretch came early. Deportivo Cali’s attack produced three goals before the 36th minute, with Morales scoring on either side of Guerra’s finish. That burst gave the visitors a commanding cushion and forced Universidad de Chile to chase the game. Acosta’s 39th-minute goal gave the hosts a lift before the break, and Zamora’s goal brought Universidad de Chile within one. The hosts pressed for an equalizer, but Deportivo Cali held its shape and protected the lead. The match grew tense late. Herrera C. was sent off in the 89th minute for Universidad de Chile, leaving the hosts to finish with 10 players. Yellow cards went to Figueroa C. in the 69th, Sanchez M. in the 77th, Viancha K. in the 90+1 and Diaz V. in the 90+3. The late red card forced Universidad de Chile to reorganize during the final minutes, and Deportivo Cali saw out the remaining time.

Morales finished with two goals in 65 minutes before being substituted, the standout attacking return for Deportivo Cali. Acosta and Zamora each played 90 minutes and scored once for Universidad de Chile. Guerra Meneses scored once in 65 minutes. Jhoana Bermeo played 90 minutes and provided an assist, while Paula Medina had an assist in 46 minutes. Substitutions began at halftime, with Medina P. and Fuentes K. entering. Morales M. and Guerra Meneses I. Y. came off in the 65th. Figueroa C. and Sanchez B. followed in the 71st and 72nd, Aponza M. and Morales M. in the 81st, and Viancha K. in the 90+4. The five-goal match included four yellow cards and one red card, with the dismissal adding late pressure to a close finish.

Deportivo Cali entered the game after a 2-0 win over Club Nacional de Football and a 1-1 draw with Libertad Asuncion. Universidad de Chile entered after a 2-1 loss at Libertad Asuncion and a 0-0 draw at Club Nacional de Football, following a 6-1 home win over Huachipato. The visitors’ victory kept them unbeaten in the competition and in all competitions, while the hosts remained without a competition win but retained one overall victory from their earlier domestic result. Deportivo Cali’s season record in this competition is now 2 wins, 0 losses and 1 draw, and its record across all competitions is 2 wins, 0 losses and 1 draw. Universidad de Chile’s competition record is 0 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw, while its overall record is 1 win, 2 losses and 1 draw.

Interstat’s game simulator projected a final score of Universidad de Chile 1, Deportivo Cali 1. Interstat’s ELO system gave Universidad de Chile a 64.5 percent probability to win. Deportivo Cali was installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -0.5. The total score of 5 went under the over/under line of 2.5.