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Colombian and Ecuadorian clubs prepare for second half of 2026 football season
In Colombia, Millonarios have spent a record 16 000 million pesos on seven new signings and face intense pressure on coach Fabián Bustos to justify the investment in the upcoming match against Junior. At the same time, Deportivo Pereira, led by Arturo Reyes, battles to avoid relegation, while Deportes Tolima seeks to reclaim the title after coach Lucas González departed for Atlético Nacional. The Liga BetPlay schedule for the second half of 2026 features four matches on the opening night, including Fortaleza vs. Pereira and Junior vs. Millonarios, highlighting the league’s competitive restart after the World Cup break.
In Ecuador, Independiente del Valle aims to extend its 19‑point lead in the LigaPro, with upcoming fixtures against Deportivo Cuenca and other title contenders. The league’s 23rd matchday will see Barcelona SC travel to Ibarra and Emelec host Aucas, with live TV coverage on Teleamazonas. Meanwhile, the women's Superliga Femenina sees Deportivo Ibarra face Barcelona SC in a high‑stakes playoff.
Mexico’s women’s football also evolves: Pumas Femenil welcomed a new Liga Femenil format that reduces matches and eliminates double‑round weeks, while the club’s senior side recorded a 5‑1 victory over FC Juárez. In Oaxaca, a youth girls’ team debuted in the national amateur tournament against Nayarit.
Argentina’s news includes River Plate’s pursuit of forward Thiago Almada amid Flamengo’s offer and Colón’s must‑win clash with Acassuso to keep coach Ezequiel Medrán’s job safe.
Entities
Arturo Reyes · Barcelona SC · Barcelona Sporting Club · Club León · Deportes Tolima · Deportivo Pereira · Diego Arias · Fluminense · Fortaleza FC · Independiente del Valle · Internacional · Jhon Jáder Durán
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Liga BetPlay 2026‑II second round matches are scheduled for 1–2 August with a full program listed. www.radioacktiva.com · radiomunera.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Deportivo Pereira has not won in its last 25 matches.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Diego Arias described the match as crucial to consolidate his project at Fortaleza.
- [● 2 SOURCES] After the opening round, Fortaleza has 1 point and Deportivo Pereira has 0 points in the Liga BetPlay table. www.radioacktiva.com · radiomunera.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Four Liga BetPlay matches are scheduled for the same evening: Fortaleza vs Pereira, Real Santander vs Patriotas, Unión Magdalena vs Orsomarso, and Deportivo Pasto vs Águilas Doradas. radiomunera.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Fortaleza FC will host Deportivo Pereira at the Metropolitano de Techo on the second matchday of Liga BetPlay 2026‑II. radiomunera.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Dimayor adopted new IFAB arbitration rules for 2026‑2027, including a direct red card for certain provocative actions. radiomunera.com · www.radioacktiva.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Diego Arias is the coach of Fortaleza FC for the match against Deportivo Pereira.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Liga Femenil introduced a new Apertura 2026 format that replaces a single table with a group stage and reduces the total number of matches. eldiariodechihuahua.mx
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Pumas Femenil will face León on 2 August in the Apertura 2026 season. eldiariodechihuahua.mx
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Colombia's Liga BetPlay 2026‑II resumed with four matches on Friday: Fortaleza FC vs Deportivo Pereira, Real Santander vs Patriotas FC, Unión Magdalena vs Orsomarso, and Deportivo Pasto vs Águilas Dor radiomunera.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Fluminense held Bahia to a 0‑0 draw at the Maracanã, marking its fifth consecutive match without a win and placing the club fourth with 34 points.