The stage is set for a pivotal clash in the Colombian Liga BetPlay as Independiente Santa Fe welcomes Once Caldas to El Campín on Monday night, September 1, 2025. This match, rescheduled from its original Sunday slot due to the raucous concerts of Silvestre Dangond, promises drama, tension, and a dash of unpredictability as both sides battle for very different objectives. Santa Fe, looking to cement their place within the coveted top eight, faces a Once Caldas squad desperate to claw their way off the bottom of the standings and keep their playoff hopes alive.
Santa Fe enters this contest buoyed by a recent 1-1 draw against Fortaleza in the Copa Colombia round of 16, a result secured by Santiago Mosquera’s clinical finish in the 43rd minute. While not a win, the draw showcased Santa Fe’s resilience and ability to grind out results in tight situations. Meanwhile, Once Caldas arrives in the capital following a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Deportivo Pasto in their own Copa Colombia clash, a much-needed morale boost for a side languishing at the foot of the league table.
But the real intrigue heading into this encounter revolves around the personnel available to each manager. For Santa Fe, the return of veteran striker Hugo Rodallega—fresh off recovery from injury—couldn’t come at a better time. Alongside Rodallega, both Cristian Mafla and Yairo Moreno have also returned to training, giving coach Jorge Bava some welcome selection headaches. Bava, however, will be forced to make do without several key players: Emanuel Olivera and Marcelo Meli are suspended following red cards in the previous match against Fortaleza, while Jhon Meléndez, Christian Mafla, Yairo Moreno, David Ramírez, and even Rodallega himself have all been listed as doubts at various points due to physical discomforts.
Despite these challenges, the probable starting eleven for Santa Fe looks robust: Andrés Mosquera is expected to don the gloves, with a defensive line of Elvis Perlaza, Víctor Moreno, Joaquín Sosa, and Iván Scarpeta. In midfield, Edwar López, Daniel Torres, Yilmar Velásquez, and Harold Mosquera offer energy and creativity, while up front, Angelo Rodríguez and Omar Fernández are likely to lead the line. This setup, if confirmed, suggests a balanced approach—one eye on defensive solidity, the other on attacking intent.
On the other side of the pitch, Once Caldas faces an even steeper hill to climb. The manizaleños not only sit at the bottom of the table, but they must also contend with the absence of their talismanic striker, Dayro Moreno. The 40-year-old goal machine, Colombia’s all-time leading scorer, has been called up to the national team for the World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Venezuela. Moreno’s departure—he left for Barranquilla ahead of this match—means Once Caldas will be without their most potent attacking threat for at least three matches. That’s a massive blow for a team already struggling to find the net.
Santa Fe’s Hugo Rodallega, himself a seasoned striker, didn’t hide his admiration for Moreno’s achievement. “Very well deserved. Dayro is the historic top scorer of our country and is in a spectacular moment, he’s the most current top scorer in Colombian football right now. I’m very happy for him, he’s my friend and colleague,” Rodallega told LA PATRIA. He went on to highlight the personal challenges Moreno has overcome: “He has had to suffer many things, go through difficult times, but today God and life reward him with this call-up.” The Santa Fe forward also expressed hope that Moreno would get a chance to play and help Colombia in their quest for World Cup qualification. “We hope he can play and help the national team achieve qualification,” Rodallega added.
With Dayro Moreno missing, the pressure falls on coach Hernán Darío Herrera to find a solution up front. The likely starting eleven for Once Caldas is expected to feature James Aguirre in goal, a back line of Juan David Cuesta, Kevin Cuesta, Jéider Riquett, and Luis Palacios, a midfield anchored by Mateo García and Iván Rojas, and an attacking quartet of Luis Sánchez, Jefry Zapata, Mateo Zuleta, and Felipe Gómez. It’s a lineup that will need to find chemistry quickly if they’re to trouble a Santa Fe side with a formidable home record.
Historically, this fixture has favored the cardenales. The last meeting between the two sides took place on June 16, 2025, at El Campín, with Santa Fe emerging 1-0 victors thanks to a penalty converted by none other than Hugo Rodallega. In fact, Santa Fe has won each of the last five direct encounters against Once Caldas—a streak that undoubtedly weighs on the minds of both squads. For Santa Fe, it’s a source of confidence. For Once Caldas, it’s a daunting hurdle they’re eager to clear.
Yet, football has a way of defying expectations. Could Once Caldas, emboldened by their recent cup win but hampered by the loss of their star striker, pull off a surprise in Bogotá? Or will Santa Fe, galvanized by the return of key players and driven by the opportunity to strengthen their playoff credentials, continue their dominance over the visitors?
The match kicks off at 7:30 PM local time and will be broadcast live on Caracol Radio’s Fenómeno del Fútbol, with minute-by-minute updates available on Caracol Deportes and other sports platforms such as 365Scores. Fans unable to attend in person will have no shortage of ways to keep up with the action as it unfolds.
As both teams take to the field, the stakes couldn’t be higher. For Santa Fe, victory would mean consolidating their position among the league’s elite and perhaps sending a message to the rest of the Liga BetPlay pack. For Once Caldas, every point is precious in their fight for survival and a shot at the postseason. The absence of Dayro Moreno looms large, but as the saying goes, when one door closes, another opens—this could be the perfect stage for a new hero to emerge.
With history, form, and squad news all tilting the odds in Santa Fe’s favor, the pressure is on the visitors to rise to the occasion. But as any seasoned fan knows, football seldom follows the script. One thing’s for certain: Monday night at El Campín will deliver plenty of passion, no shortage of storylines, and perhaps a twist or two before the final whistle. Stay tuned as the Liga BetPlay drama continues to unfold.
