The party was turned on in José Ángel Rossi. Imperial Cobán this Saturday sealed its classification to the semifinals of the Clausura 2025 tournament, after beating Malacateco with a 3-1 global score. The blue princes won the first leg 1-0 in Santa Lucía and on the return, despite going down on the scoreboard, they traced to impose themselves 2-1 and advance with authority.
The first blow of the meeting was given by the visiting team. The bulls of Malacateco, led by Roberto Hernández, left with everything from the first minute and found reward before rest. Yunior Pérez took advantage of an oversight in the Cobanera rear and scored 0-1 that matched the global series, generating uncertainty among local fans.
For several minutes, the tension was evident in the stands and in the face of the Cobaneros players. At times, the domain of the ball was shared, but the nerves seemed to be on the side of the house team. Malacateco, with little to lose, felt comfortable and for moments he was closer to the second goal.
But in the complement, Cobán took out his best version. Tactical adjustments from the bench allowed the team to resume the meeting control. Facundo Queiroz, one of the most regular figures in the tournament, appeared with hierarchy to tie the score at the 60th minute and return the global advantage to his team. The goal was a real relief for the locals and lit the fans who had faithfully accompanied in the stands.
From that moment on, Cobán imposed conditions again. The spaces began to open and Malacateco, forced to go to the front, left cracks in his defense. The final blow would come minutes later. Taufic Guarch, with a scoring smell, sealed 2-1 after a great collective play and completely liquidated the series. It was the goal that confirmed the classification and unleashed the celebration in José Ángel Rossi.
With this victory, Imperial Cobán not only advances to the semifinals, but also showing maturity, tempering and consistency. It is the second time that the blue princes sneak among the four best of the tournament, consolidating itself as one of the most stable projects of Guatemalan football in the last tournaments.
Malacateco, meanwhile, says goodbye with dignity. He competed until the end, especially in the first half, but did not reach him to stop a copan who was superior in the general balance of the series.
Now, Cobán Imperial Wait rival in the semifinals with the renewed illusion. The fans dream of returning to a final, and with the performance shown, no one doubts that the Altaverapacense team has what to continue dreaming.