In a gripping encounter at the Palogrande Stadium in Manizales, Once Caldas edged out Llaneros with a narrow 1-0 victory on March 27, 2025. This match marked the first meeting between the two teams in Colombia's top-flight football, and it was a hard-fought battle that showcased the determination of both sides.
The game's only goal came in the 29th minute from Jefry Zapata, who capitalized on a well-placed assist. After a dazzling individual effort on the left flank, Zapata unleashed a powerful left-footed shot that found the back of the net, giving Once Caldas a vital lead. "Gooooool! Once Caldas 1, Llaneros 0!" echoed through the stadium as fans erupted in celebration of the home side's early advantage.
Once Caldas, under the guidance of coach Hernán Darío Herrera, aimed to secure a spot in the playoff zone after a shaky start to the season. Despite their struggles away from home, the team displayed resilience on their turf, where they have been more formidable.
Llaneros, managed by José Luis García, entered the match under pressure, having lost their last three fixtures. Their hopes of turning the tide were dashed as they struggled to find the net throughout the game. The visitors had a golden opportunity to equalize when Freddy Espinal's strike hit the left post, narrowly missing the chance to level the score.
The match was tightly contested, with both teams trading chances. However, Once Caldas' defense, led by Juan Patiño and Jerson Malagón, was resolute, thwarting several attempts from Llaneros. Goalkeeper James Aguirre had a standout performance, making five crucial saves to maintain the clean sheet. Aguirre's agility was on full display, particularly when he denied a powerful header from Michael Rangel, ensuring his team remained ahead.
The physical nature of the match saw several players cautioned. Luis Palacios and Juan Cuesta of Once Caldas, along with Joel Contreras and Jerson Malagón, received yellow cards for dangerous play. For Llaneros, Juan José Vásquez was also shown a yellow card, highlighting the intensity of the contest.
As the match progressed, the tactical changes made by both coaches aimed to shift momentum. Herrera introduced fresh legs in the form of Luis Palacios, Iván Rojas, and Mateo Zuleta during the second half, hoping to bolster the attack and secure the win. Meanwhile, García also made substitutions, bringing on players like Maicol Medina and Brandon Churi to inject pace into the Llaneros' frontline.
Despite the changes, Llaneros struggled to create clear-cut chances, often finding themselves thwarted by the organized defense of Once Caldas. Their best opportunity came in the second half when a shot from Duván Mosquera went high and wide, encapsulating their frustrating evening.
Once Caldas' tactical setup featured a 4-5-1 formation, with Dayro Moreno leading the line. Moreno, a veteran striker, was eager to add to his tally and close in on Radamel Falcao's record as Colombia's all-time leading scorer. He had a couple of attempts, but the Llaneros' defense and goalkeeper Roameth Romaña held firm.
As the clock wound down, the tension mounted. Llaneros pushed forward in search of an equalizer, but Once Caldas remained resolute, defending their slim lead with determination. The referee, Alejandro Moncada Sánchez, added four minutes of stoppage time, but the home side managed to hold on.
With this victory, Once Caldas moved closer to the playoff spots, now sitting in ninth place with 16 points. In contrast, Llaneros found themselves in a precarious position, languishing in sixteenth with just 8 points, raising alarm bells as they face the threat of relegation.
As the final whistle blew, the scoreline read 1-0 in favor of Once Caldas, a result that brought relief to the home fans and intensified the pressure on Llaneros. The teams will look to regroup, with Once Caldas set to face U. Magdalena next, while Llaneros will aim for redemption against Bucaramanga.
This match not only marked a historic first encounter between the two clubs but also illustrated the fierce competition in Colombia's Liga BetPlay, where every point is crucial as teams battle for survival and playoff contention.
