On a spirited Friday night at Estadio Américo Montanini, Atlético Bucaramanga delivered a commanding 2-0 victory over Deportes Tolima, further cementing their position at the summit of Colombia’s Categoría Primera A. The win, which took place on September 19, 2025, was not just another three points for the Búcaros—it was a statement of intent in a season that’s quickly becoming one for the record books.
Coming into this 12th-round clash of the Liga BetPlay 2025-II, both teams found themselves in the thick of the title race. Bucaramanga, under the guidance of coach Leonel de Jesús Álvarez Zuleta, had been enjoying a stellar campaign, sitting atop the league after eleven rounds—a feat they hadn’t accomplished since April 2024. Tolima, meanwhile, entered the contest in fourth place, with 20 points and eyes firmly set on overtaking their rivals and pushing for continental qualification. The stage was set for a classic, and the match didn’t disappoint.
From the outset, Bucaramanga looked determined to make their home advantage count. The first half was a tense affair, with both sides probing for weaknesses. The breakthrough, however, came at the tail end of the opening period. In the 47th minute, midfielder Fabián Sambueza stepped up to the penalty spot and coolly slotted home, sending the home crowd into raptures. It was a deserved lead for the hosts, who had shown more attacking intent and composure in the final third.
“Sambueza was the best player with 1 goal and 3 shots on target,” reported TyC Sports, highlighting his influence throughout the match. The Argentine playmaker not only converted the crucial penalty but also orchestrated much of Bucaramanga’s attacking play, constantly testing Tolima’s defense with his vision and precise passing.
The second half saw Tolima attempt to claw their way back into the contest. Coach Lucas González, aware of the stakes, made several tactical changes, introducing fresh legs in the form of Kevin Pérez and Gonzalo Lencina. But Bucaramanga’s defensive unit, marshaled by captain Jefferson Mena, stood firm. Goalkeeper Aldair Quintana was called into action on a handful of occasions, but his experience and command of the area kept Tolima at bay.
As the minutes ticked away, the tension inside Estadio Américo Montanini was palpable. Tolima pressed higher, looking for an equalizer, but it was Bucaramanga who struck the killer blow. In the 47th minute of the second half—yes, the very last moments—Luciano Pons latched onto a pinpoint cross from Sambueza and finished clinically from inside the box. The stadium erupted once more, the home fans sensing that their team was on the verge of another memorable triumph.
“Luciano Pons scored 1 goal and had 2 shots on target,” according to match statistics, underlining his efficiency in front of goal. Pons, who had come on as a substitute, made an immediate impact, his movement and finishing proving too much for the Tolima backline to handle.
The tactical battle between the two coaches was fascinating throughout. Álvarez set his team up in a 4-5-1 formation, with Quintana in goal, a back four of Bayron Duarte, Jefferson Mena, Carlos Henao, and Aldair Gutiérrez, and a midfield packed with energy and creativity. Tolima mirrored this setup, with Cristopher Fiermarín between the posts and a defensive line featuring Yhormar Hurtado, Marlon Torres, Anderson Angulo, and Junior Hernández. In midfield, Brayan Rovira and Juan Pablo Nieto tried to dictate the tempo, but Bucaramanga’s pressing game often forced errors and turnovers.
The referee, Alejandro Moncada Sánchez, had his hands full in a match that saw its share of yellow cards. Both teams were shown cautions for unsporting behavior, with Bucaramanga’s Aldair Quintana and coach Leonel Álvarez, as well as Tolima’s Adrián Parra, Cristopher Fiermarín, and Anderson Angulo, all going into the book. The physical edge to the contest was a reminder of the high stakes and the long-standing rivalry between these two sides—a rivalry that dates all the way back to 1956.
Historically, Bucaramanga and Tolima have clashed 195 times in league play, with Bucaramanga holding 72 wins to Tolima’s 58, and 65 matches ending in stalemates. The last time Tolima visited Bucaramanga before this season, they left with a 2-0 victory, but this time the tables were turned. The win was particularly sweet for Bucaramanga, who have struggled with injuries and suspensions this season, a concern that coach Álvarez has been eager to address in training and squad rotation.
For Tolima, the defeat was a setback, but not a fatal one. Sitting fifth in the table with 20 points, they remain firmly in the hunt for playoff qualification and a shot at Copa Libertadores football. Their squad, featuring several former Bucaramanga players like Marlon Torres and Anderson Angulo, boasts both experience and quality. However, they’ll need to regroup quickly, as their next match sees them hosting Independiente Medellín—a test that will reveal their resilience and championship credentials.
Bucaramanga, on the other hand, will look to build on this momentum as they prepare to visit Fortaleza FC in the next round. With 24 points now to their name, the Búcaros are clear at the top of the standings, their best campaign in the short-tournament era. Fans are beginning to dream of a title run, and with performances like this, who can blame them?
The contest at Estadio Américo Montanini may not have produced a flurry of goals, but it showcased everything great about Colombian football—passion, tactical nuance, individual brilliance, and the kind of drama that keeps supporters coming back week after week. As the final whistle blew, the sense was clear: Bucaramanga are not just leading the league, they’re setting the pace for everyone else to follow.
With the league table tightening and every point at a premium, both Bucaramanga and Tolima know that the road ahead will be challenging. But on this night, it was the Búcaros who celebrated, their fans singing into the night, dreaming of what might lie ahead in this unforgettable season.
