Colombian Liga Postobon leaders Once Caldas suffered a 0-1 defeat against La Equidad while Millonarios jumped to third place following a win over Deportes Quindio.
The action started on Saturday when Bogota outfit Millonarios hosted Quindio at El Campin stadium. Quindio’s top players refused to travel to the capital after not receiving their payments, and the club instead fielded a team with an average age of around 17.
As expected, Millonarios had no difficulty with their young opponents and ended up winning 5-0 with goals from Edison Toloza (2), Carlos Preciado, Rafael Robayo and Omar Rodriguez.
Second-placed Deportes Tolima failed to impress at Real Cartagena, losing the away match 2-1. Wilder Medina did hand Tolima the lead in the 14th minute, but a converted penalty from Jose Najera leveled the score just before the break and Emanuel Molina netted Cartagena’s winner six minutes after the hour.
Atletico Nacional began the day in third place but dropped to fourth after losing 2-1 at Boyaca Chico. The Tunja side went ahead after 25 minutes as Amiviled Rivas scored from the spot, but Nacional replied ten minutes after the interval with Victor Ibarbo making it 1-1.
The winning goal came eight minutes later, as Grenddy Perozo restored Boyaca’s lead. Nacional ended the game two men down after red cards for Sebastian Perez and Jairo Palomino.
In the day’s final game, Deportivo Cali beat Deportivo Pereira 2-1.
On Sunday, leaders Once Caldas faced a tough task against La Equidad and ended up on the losing side as Dawlin Leudo scored the only goal after 49 minutes of play.
While Once Caldas remain on top of the league, the gap with the rest is now a lot smaller with no less than five other teams being three or less points behind.
Envigado won the regional derby at Independiente Medellin, with first-half goals from Neider Morantes and Armando Carillo handing the guests a comfortable lead. Medellin got one back through John Hernandez in the final minutes, 2-1.
Itagüi Ditaires delivered yet another good performance in their home game with Junior, working their way to a 3-0 win. David Cordoba, Jorge Aguirre and Elkin Serrano all scored in the first half. Junior’s Sergio Otalvaro and Luis Paez were sent off after the break.
In the remaining two games of the day, Cucuta Deportivo drew 0-0 against America de Cali while Santa Fe crashed to a 2-0 defeat at Huila.