Once Caldas defeated Llaneros FC 1-0 at Palogrande Stadium in a match from Colombia's Primera A that the home team settled with a goal from Jorge Cardona in the second half and that ended with one less player for the visiting team after Jhon Vásquez's expulsion.
How the match unfolded
The encounter at Palogrande had a tight first half, with few clear chances and more intensity in midfield than in the penalty areas. Once Caldas controlled the ball more frequently from the start, although without converting that possession into clear opportunities during the first 45 minutes.
The match became more physical with yellow cards for Jefry Zapata and Juan Castilla before the half-hour mark, setting the physical tone that would continue until the final whistle. Llaneros FC made a substitution just after the second half began, bringing in Luis Miranda for Jimmy Medranda, looking for offensive alternatives.
In the second half, the home side found their reward with Jorge Cardona's goal at the 68-minute mark, which turned out to be the difference in the score. After that, Llaneros FC tried to react, but Jhon Vásquez's expulsion at 75 minutes complicated any comeback attempt and Once Caldas managed the advantage until the final whistle.
Goals and key moments
33' Yellow card for Jefry Zapata (Once Caldas).
35' Yellow card for Juan Castilla (Llaneros FC).
45' Luis Miranda comes on for Jimmy Medranda in Llaneros FC.
51' Yellow card for Juan Cuesta (Once Caldas).
55' Yellow card for Carlos Cortés (Llaneros FC).
68' Goal by Jorge Cardona for Once Caldas' 1-0, the goal that decided the match.
72' Substitution in Llaneros FC: Yorleys Mena replaces Carlos Cortés.
73' Yellow card for Francisco Meza (Llaneros FC).
75' Expulsion of Jhon Vásquez in Llaneros FC, leaving his team with ten men for the remainder of the match.
Between the 85th minute and the end, both teams made several substitutions: Joel Contreras for Juan Ramírez, Edwin Torres for Pipe Gómez, Helieyker Guzman for Michael Barrios, Marlon Sierra for Frank Castañeda, Néider Ospina for Juan Castilla, Tomas García for Andrés Roa and Mateo Zuleta for Jader Quiñónes, the latter already in added time.
The numbers
The statistics showed an even match despite the final result. Once Caldas dominated possession with 60% compared to 40% for Llaneros FC, and also surpassed their opponent in total shots (15 versus 10) and completed passes (409 versus 242 out of 460 and 295 total respectively).
However, the xG favored Llaneros FC (1.58 versus 0.74 for Once Caldas), as did shots on target (5 versus 4), which reflects that the visiting team created more dangerous chances but failed to convert them. In terms of discipline, Llaneros FC accumulated 3 yellow cards and Vásquez's red card, compared to 2 yellow cards for Once Caldas. Corner kicks favored the home side (5 versus 4) and fouls also leaned towards Once Caldas (14 versus 11).
How the table stands
With this result, Once Caldas reached 16 points in 13 matches played, with 4 victories, 4 draws and 5 defeats, with a goal difference of zero (16 for and 16 against), placing them in ninth position in Colombia's Primera A.
Llaneros FC, for their part, remained with 14 points after 13 rounds, with 4 wins, 2 draws and 7 losses, and a negative goal difference of -2 (15 goals for, 17 against), occupying 12th place in the table. At the top of the championship, América de Cali remains as leaders with 27 points, followed by Deportivo Cali with 24 and Atlético Nacional with 23.
Our take
In our view, the result at Palogrande reflects more effectiveness than footballing superiority. Once Caldas dominated the ball and generated more volume of play, but it was Llaneros FC who had the most dangerous situations according to xG, a statistic that suggests the scoreline could have been different in other circumstances.
The expulsion of Jhon Vásquez at 75 minutes was, in our assessment, the definitive turning point of the match: with the home side already ahead, playing with one less player removed any real chance for Llaneros FC to look for an equalizer. For Once Caldas, this victory comes at a time of need in the table, while Llaneros FC accumulates another loss that leaves them closer to the relegation zone of the championship. Follow more news at golazoscore.com.py.
Spotted a mistake? Write to us and we'll fix it · Editorial policy
