Once Caldas remain on top of the Colombian Liga Postobon following a 2-1 win over Huila. Deportes Tolima crushed Atletico Nacional to jump to second place.
Leaders Once Caldas needed just five minutes for Mathias Mirabaje to open the scoring in a home game against Atletico Huila. The visitors scored back through Ayron Del Valle in the 68th minute, but Wason Renteria restored Once’s lead with eight minutes to go in Manizales.
Deportes Tolima hosted Atletico Nacional on Saturday, and stunned the visitors with five goals in the first half. Danny Mantoya, Felipe Noguera (2), Christian Marrugo and Wilder Medina all found the target, with three of the five goals scored from the penalty spot.
Nacional’s Gaston Pezzuti conceded a second yellow card just before the break. Three minutes into the second half, Marrugo got an unnecessary red card for Tolima.
Envigado dropped for joint first place to third following a 1-1 draw at Real Cartagena. Armando Carillo put Envigado in the lead after 38 minutes, but the hosts leveled through Luis Renteria just seven minutes later.
Sunday’s Bogota derby between Millonarios and La Equidad was one of the more entertaining games of the week. La Equidad drew first blood through Hugo Soto in the 38th minute, but Millonarios turned things around through Edison Toloza (53rd) and Juan Domínguez (55th).
La Equidad’s Javier Araujo then restored the balance in the 76th minute, but Wilson Carpintero handed Millonarios the win by scoring for 3-2 in the second minute of added time.
America de Cali earned a prestigious 1-0 win at local rivals Deportivo Cali, allowing the ‘Red Devils’ to climb to seventh place. The winning goal came from Jorge Artigas in the 60th minute.
The top eight is completed by Deportes Quindio, who defeated Deportivo Pereira 4-3 in a highly entertaining clash. Jhon Valoy, Kevin Benitez, William Tesillo and Juan Caicedo scored for the hosts, Carlos Villagra (2) and Jose Izquierdo did so for the guests.
In the week’s remaining matches, Itagüi were held to a 1-1 draw by Cucuta Deportivo and are no longer in the top eight, Medellin drew 0-0 with Junior and Boyaca Chico beat Santa Fe 3-2.
With just three more rounds to go in the regular season, Once Caldas, Tolima, Envigado, Millonarios, Nacional, La Equidad, America and Quindio are on course for a spot in the play-offs.
