Independiente Medellin crushed Envigado 7-1 on Sunday to defend their second place in the Liga Postobon, while Millonarios beat Santa Fe 2-1 in the Bogota classic.
Medellin were unstoppable in their away match to Envigado, who ended up having three players red-carded.
Edison Gimenez put DIM ahead in the 29th minute and went on to add a second three minutes later. When Luis Arias netted the away side’s third in the 35th minute, the match seemed all but decided.
Envigado got one back through Carlos Alvarez in the 44th minute, but Gimenez restored the gap with his third right after the break.
Gerardo Bedoya and Neider Morantes of Envigado were both handed a second booking shortly after the hour, which only made it easier for Medellin to net their fifth of the day through Ricardo Calle in the 72nd minute.
When Dorlan Pabon conceded a direct red card four minutes later, there was nothing in the way for Medellin to further humiliate their opponents. Two more goals from Arias in the final phase achieved just that, 7-1.
A week after losing the capital city derby against Santa Fe, Millonarios were given a chance of revenge as the two sides met yet again.
Luis Mosquera got the opening goal in Millonarios favor two minutes after the interval, and John Ulloque made it 2-0 with seven minutes to go.
Julio ‘Chileno’ Gutierrez scored back in the 92nd minute but Millonarios held on to the lead for three important points. Santa Fe’s Juan Quintero was sent off in the 71st minute.
Deportes Tolima remained in third place thanks to a 2-1 win over America de Cali with goals from Franco Arizala and Yesid Martinez. Only Oscar Diaz found the net for the visiting side.
In other action on Sunday, La Equidad beat Cortulua 3-0, Junior earned a 2-0 win over Cucuta Deportivo and Once Caldas won 2-0 at last-placed Quindio, who have yet to get their first win of the season.
With four teams advancing to the next round at the end of this regular season, Cartagena, Medellin, Tolima and Junior are currently on course to do so.