On the night of March 4, 2025, Atlético Nacional secured a commanding 5-1 victory over Fortaleza CEIF during the seventh matchday of Liga BetPlay, held at the iconic Nemesio Camacho El Campín stadium in Bogotá. The win marks a significant rebound for Nacional, who were eager to overcome their previous defeat against Alianza FC just nine days prior.
The match, which commenced at 8:30 PM local time, saw Nacional dominating from the start. Marino Hinestroza opened the scoring just five minutes after kickoff, showcasing his exceptional form. His powerful strike from the edge of the box found the back of the net, setting the tone for the match.
Edwin Cardona quickly followed suit, scoring two goals within the first half—one from open play and another converting from the penalty spot, after Hinestroza was fouled inside the area by Fortaleza defender Stalin Valencia. Cardona's first goal came at the 20th minute, where he skillfully lifted the ball over the goalkeeper, before adding another at the 32-minute mark with his clinical penalty conversion.
Juan José Arias, also contributing to Nacional's tally, headed home from close range after a well-executed corner kick by Cardona, taking the score to 4-0 before halftime.
Fortaleza managed to pull one back late in the first half when Emilio Aristizábal capitalized on defensive lapses by Nacional, scoring at the 11th minute. Despite their efforts, they were unable to maintain momentum as the whistle blew for halftime with Nacional leading 4-1.
With full control of the match, Nacional continued to assert their dominance after the break. Hinestroza sealed his brace at the 57th minute, finishing off another quick counter-attack, putting Nacional firmly at 5-1. This performance not only boosted Nacional's morale but elevated them to third place on the Liga BetPlay standings, with 13 points from seven matches.
Fortaleza, on the other hand, found themselves slipping down the table, struggling to find consistency. After their 5-1 loss, they currently sit at 14th with just seven points, having won only two matches this season and now needing to regroup to avoid falling closer to the relegation zone.
Several moments defined the clash, with notable performances from both teams before the final result began reflecting Nacional's firepower on the field. Both teams had players cautioned throughout the game, with Camilo Candido of Nacional being booked for dissent shortly before halftime, and Santiago Cuero of Fortaleza receiving a yellow card for fouling Hinestroza.
The match was officiated by Luis Matorel, whose decisions were relatively smooth, allowing the game to flow without being overly disrupted. His management aided the players' performance, ensuring fair play as Nacional surged toward victory.
Following this match, Atlético Nacional stands well-positioned as they look forward to their upcoming fixtures, hopeful of maintaining their positive momentum. Coach Javier Gandolfi remarked on the performance, noting, “It was imperative to bounce back and show our character after our previous defeat. The boys played exceptionally well.”
On the contrary, Fortaleza's coach Sebastián Oliveros acknowledged the challenges, stating, “We need to work on our defensive organization; tonight, we showed vulnerabilities. We must learn quickly from this setback.” Their need for adaptation will be pivotal as they prepare for the next match, aiming to regain their footing and improve their league standing.
This game demonstrated the disparity between the two sides on the night, with Nacional effectively exploiting their chances, showcasing their quality attacking depth. The triumph serves as both a confidence boost and statement of intent as the season advances.
The next rounds of Liga BetPlay will be watched closely, as every match grows increasingly significant. Fans of both teams hope for improvements, and as always, the fierce competition at this level of Colombian football promises more thrilling encounters to come.