Llaneros vs Once Caldas Match Recap - Oct 19, 2025

Llaneros Ride Second-Half Surge to Defeat Once Caldas, Cementing Top-Half Ambitions in Primera A

A chill swept through Estadio Bello Horizonte as dusk settled over Villavicencio, but by the final whistle, Llaneros’s faithful were ablaze—driven not only by a vital 2-0 triumph over Once Caldas, but by the prospect that their side may be forging an identity worthy of the top tier of Colombian football. The home team’s clinical second-half performance, punctuated by goals from Bryan Urueña and an unnamed teammate, delivered Llaneros a statement win that could well shape the trajectory of their season.

Coming into Sunday’s contest, Llaneros and Once Caldas both found themselves in need of a spark. Llaneros, perched in seventh with 22 points from 15 matches, had shown flashes of quality but struggled for consistency—a pattern reflected in their last five outings. The recent run included a resounding 3-1 win at Santa Fe that served as a testament to their attacking potential, but also a demoralizing loss at Alianza Petrolera and cagey scoreless draws against Pereira and Fortaleza. Once Caldas, meanwhile, entered the weekend in 13th with 19 points, and the scars of their recent 1-5 mauling by Independiente Medellin still fresh.

The opening half unfolded with anxious energy but little invention—a midfield stalemate intermittently punctuated by speculative efforts from both sides. Daniel Cataño orchestrated Llaneros’s attack, probing for openings, while Once Caldas relied on the counter and the steady presence of veteran Jefry Zapata to threaten from deep. Yet neither side could break through, both goalkeepers largely untroubled as the interval arrived.

It was after the restart that Llaneros seized the narrative. Just eight minutes into the second half, Bryan Urueña arrived into the penalty area like a thunderclap, latching onto a clever through ball to slot home the opener in the 53rd minute. His finish—composed yet forceful—sent the crowd into eruption and Once Caldas into disarray. The visitors, suddenly exposed, failed to regroup, and Llaneros capitalized on their vulnerability almost instantly. Four minutes later, a scramble inside the six-yard box saw Llaneros double their lead, the ball steered into the net by a player whose name eluded official reporting, but whose contribution may be remembered by home fans as the goal that sealed the result.

Down by two, Once Caldas pushed forward desperately. The visitors had demonstrated attacking flair in recent weeks—most notably in their five-goal outburst against Chico—but found Llaneros’s back line unyielding. Francisco Meza marshaled the defense with command, repelling wave after wave of incursion. For Llaneros, the dual cushion invited a more pragmatic approach, ceding possession and compressing space as the match wore on.

The only crack in Llaneros’s resolve came late, when Michael Rangel, already walking a disciplinary tightrope, received his marching orders in the 86th minute for a reckless challenge. The red card briefly lifted Once Caldas’s hopes, but the home side’s discipline and structure held firm, denying the visitors even a consolation. In the dying moments, Llaneros nearly added a third on the counter, Luis Miranda slicing through exhausted defenders, but his final effort rolled harmlessly wide.

This victory carries ramifications beyond the scoreboard. For Llaneros, three points mean not only consolidation of seventh place but a beckoning opportunity to contend for a playoff berth. Their record—six wins, four draws, five defeats—may not inspire awe, but it reflects steady progress, especially as they rebound from patchy September form. The night’s performance was emblematic of a squad that has found its rhythm; Urueña’s goal was his latest in a campaign that increasingly bears his stamp.

For Once Caldas, the defeat prolongs a slide that has seen them lose three of their last five across league and cup competitions. The flashes of attacking promise—the routs of Deportivo Pasto and Chico—are now marooned amid defensive frailty and a lack of midfield cohesion. Jefry Zapata and Jerson Malagón showed resolve, but the gulf in organization was telling. With just 19 points and a growing gap to the teams above them, the storied club faces a crossroads: tweaks must be made if they are to arrest their slide and reignite hopes of climbing the table.

Historically, encounters between these sides have been tightly contested, marked by physicality and flashes of brilliance. This newest chapter, however, belongs to Llaneros—their energy, clinical edge, and ultimately, their ability to rise above adversity following Rangel’s dismissal.

As the league calendar ticks toward its crucial final stretch, Llaneros’s supporters can dream with renewed optimism. The team must now harness momentum and avoid the complacency that has previously cost them. Once Caldas, meanwhile, must confront familiar questions about defensive discipline and attacking chemistry, lest their campaign slip further into obscurity.

By seizing the evening and the narrative, Llaneros have signaled not just an ambition for the present, but a warning for rivals: in Villavicencio, belief is gaining ground with every whistle.