Atlético Nacional kicked off the Liga BetPlay final quadrangulars with a controversial 1-1 draw against Deportivo Pasto, a result that left a bitter taste. The match, played on May 21, 2023, was marked by a VAR decision that disallowed a crucial goal by Juan Felipe Aguirre, sparking intense controversy and debate among fans and experts.

The pivotal moment occurred when Juan Felipe Aguirre scored with a header from a corner kick. The ball appeared to have crossed the line, but Pasto's goalkeeper managed to save it. After a lengthy VAR review, the referee determined that the ball had not fully entered the goal, keeping the score at 1-0 for Atlético Nacional.

The decision was particularly painful for Atlético Nacional, as Aguirre's goal would have extended their lead to 2-0, potentially securing the victory. However, with the goal disallowed, Deportivo Pasto later managed to equalize, causing the Medellín team to lose two important points in the final quadrangulars.

The Win Sports broadcast, responsible for covering the game, did not provide conclusive images of the play. The goalkeeper's position obscured the ball, making it difficult to determine if the entire ball had crossed the line. The lack of clarity in the images further fueled the controversy and the frustration of the fans.

Refereeing analysts quickly weighed in on the incident. José Borda, a former referee, commented: "The only one who could define it is the Automatic Goal Detection System that Colombia does not have. The ball is not visible. I do NOT see a goal. Do you?". His statement highlights the absence of goal-line technology in Colombian football.

Wílmer Barahona, another former referee, expressed his disbelief at the situation, emphasizing the difficulty of making a clear decision even with multiple cameras. The controversy surrounding Juan Felipe Aguirre's disallowed goal continues to be a point of discussion, highlighting the challenges of refereeing and VAR in difficult-to-interpret plays in the Liga BetPlay.