Millonarios FC and Llaneros FC faced off for the first time in their history during the Liga BetPlay match on February 11, 2025, at Estadio Bello Horizonte, Villavicencio. The match ended dramatically with both teams scoring twice, leading to a hard-fought draw.
Llaneros, known as the "team of half Colombia," kicked off the match with high energy and soon opened the scoring. Just 11 minutes in, Geovan Montes found the back of the net, stunning Millonarios, who had struggled to find their rhythm early on. The goal was the result of sharp play, with Montes capitalizing on defensive lapses from Millonarios, giving the home crowd something to cheer about.
Millonarios responded quickly, with their resilience shining through. David Mackalister Silva equalized the score with a well-placed shot from inside the box after receiving the ball from Delvin Alfonzo's setup just minutes later, bringing the match to 1-1 by the 22nd minute. Unfortunately, jubilation turned to concern as Silva was injured during the goal celebration, forcing him off the pitch shortly thereafter.
Despite losing Silva, who had been instrumental for Millonarios, the team managed to gain momentum. Just before halftime, Juan Carlos Pereira scored what seemed to be the winning goal, giving Millonarios a 2-1 lead with only seconds left on the clock. Pereira's deft finish followed another beautiful assist, putting Millonarios firmly on the front foot.
Yet, the second half brought new challenges. Juan Pablo Vargas of Millonarios faced two yellow cards, receiving his second and consequential red card just seven minutes after the interval (52'), altering the dynamics of the match significantly. Coach David González had to make tactical changes, sacrificing Mantilla to compensate for Vargas's absence.
Llaneros took advantage of Millonarios's reduced numbers and mounted several attacks. The pressure finally paid off deep in stoppage time when Brayan Urueña scored, delivering the equalizer with just seconds to spare at 90+2 minutes. His strike left Millonarios stunned and sealed the dramatic 2-2 finish.
The aftermath of the match sparked discussions about officiations, particularly concerning the controversial decision to send off Vargas. Faustino 'Tino' Asprilla, former player and commentator for ESPN, criticized referee Jairo Mayorga’s performance. "This referee seems almost to be celebrating a goal with Millonarios! What a shocking display, really terrible," he remarked, expressing the frustrations many felt about game management.
This match was not only significant as the first Liga meeting between these two teams, but it also highlighted the narrative progression of both squads. Millonarios heads back home with 7 points, currently seated at fifth place, not too far behind the leaders as they gear up to face Independiente Medellín next at Estadio El Campín on February 15.
Llaneros, with 5 points and holding onto seventh position, will aim for improvement when they take on Deportivo Cali next. Reflecting on the match, both clubs showcased the excitement and unpredictability of Colombian football, drawing commendations and concerns from players, coaches, and fans alike.
This fixture is just the beginning of what fans can expect from these two teams, setting the stage for potential future clashes filled with more intensity and history.