The electric atmosphere at Estadio Atanasio Girardot on Sunday, October 26, 2025, was palpable as Atlético Nacional and Independiente Medellín squared off in the 17th round of the Liga BetPlay. With only three matches and nine points left in the regular season, every pass, tackle, and goal in this Clásico Paisa carried immense weight. Both teams entered the pitch knowing that their positions near the top of the league table—second for Nacional and fourth for Medellín—meant this clash could be decisive for their hopes of advancing to the coveted semifinal quadrangulars.
The stakes were sky-high. Atlético Nacional, still adapting after the turbulent departure of former coach Javier Gandolfi, had recently placed their trust in Diego Arias to steer the ship through the season’s final stretch. Arias, confirmed as head coach until the end of 2025, has made an immediate impact. According to ESPN, "Arias is undefeated since taking over and in his last match achieved a huge 5-2 win over Medellín." That result not only cemented Nacional’s hold on second place with 31 points, but also pushed them to the brink of securing a spot in the next round.
For Independiente Medellín, the pain of that recent 5-2 defeat to their city rivals was still fresh. Yet, with 31 points from 17 matches, Medellín remained firmly in fourth place and very much alive in the hunt for a top-eight finish. The loss was a setback, but as the season approaches its climax, there’s still everything to play for.
The Clásico Paisa is always a special occasion in Colombian football. With the Estadio Atanasio Girardot’s 45,953 seats nearly all filled, the energy was infectious. Fans from across Medellín poured in, waving flags and chanting in anticipation of another chapter in this fierce rivalry. As kickoff approached, the tension was almost tangible; both sets of supporters knew that their teams’ fortunes could hinge on the outcome of this very match.
From the opening whistle, both sides played with urgency. Atlético Nacional, buoyed by their recent form under Arias, pressed high and looked to exploit any gaps in Medellín’s defense. The midfield battle was intense, with neither team willing to give an inch. Every interception, every sprint down the wing, drew roars from the stands.
Live updates on platforms like 365Scores kept fans around the world glued to their screens, tracking every twist and turn of the encounter. As goals and cards were registered, the impact on the live league standings was immediately apparent. In a league this tight, even a single point can make all the difference.
With the Liga BetPlay entering its final phase, the pressure on every club has reached fever pitch. El Leopardo, after a 2-0 victory over Llaneros in this same round, became the first team to mathematically secure their place in the semifinal quadrangulars. Their next challenge will be a tough away fixture against Independiente Medellín, adding yet another layer of intrigue to the race for the top spots.
Atlético Nacional’s resurgence under Diego Arias has been one of the stories of the season. After a period of instability, the club’s decision to "ratify Diego Arias as coach until the end of 2025, competing with him in both the Cup and League in the final stretch," as reported by ESPN, appears to be paying dividends. Arias’s unbeaten run has reinvigorated the squad, and their emphatic 5-2 win over Medellín in the previous round sent a clear message to their rivals.
Medellín, known as El Poderoso, have also shown resilience throughout the campaign. Despite the heavy defeat in the derby, they remain in a strong position to qualify. "With 31 points and 17 matches played, they join the fight with a great chance to reach the quadrangulars," ESPN noted. Their ability to bounce back will be tested in the coming fixtures, especially with El Leopardo looming on the horizon.
The wider league picture is equally compelling. América, under Alfredo Arias, sits in third place despite a recent 2-1 loss to América away from home. Their consistent performance throughout the season has virtually guaranteed their passage to the next round. Bogotá, the surprise package of the semester, is in fourth with 31 points, having just defeated Pasto and drawn against top teams. Their next challenge comes against Equidad as visitors.
Other teams like Fortaleza and Lucas González’s squad are making late pushes for the top eight. Fortaleza, after a vital 2-0 win over Once Caldas, finds itself in seventh, while González’s side recently grabbed a crucial 2-1 victory over Deportivo Cali in Ibagué. The battle for the final spots is fierce, and every match in these closing weeks is loaded with significance.
As the dust settles on the 17th round, the race for the quadrangulars is wide open. The top of the table is packed, and the margin for error is razor-thin. For Atlético Nacional and Independiente Medellín, the outcome of their latest clash will echo through the rest of the campaign. While Nacional’s recent triumph gives them momentum, Medellín’s determination to rebound ensures the drama is far from over.
With three rounds left, fans can expect more twists, heartbreaks, and moments of brilliance. The Liga BetPlay 2025 is building towards a thrilling conclusion, and as the Clásico Paisa demonstrated, the passion and unpredictability of Colombian football are alive and well. Whether Nacional can maintain their unbeaten streak under Arias or Medellín can stage a comeback, all eyes will remain firmly fixed on the action as the league’s best fight for glory.
As the final whistle blew at Estadio Atanasio Girardot, one thing was certain: the battle for the top spots in Liga BetPlay is far from decided, and both Atlético Nacional and Independiente Medellín are right at the heart of the drama.
