Deportiva Once Caldas and Atlético Nacional de Medellín played out a gripping 1-1 draw in the Copa BetPlay DIMAYOR, leaving their quarter-final tie wide open after the first leg at the Estadio Palogrande. Once Caldas struck first through a well-worked set piece, but Atlético Nacional responded with a composed second-half equaliser to ensure the return leg at the Atanasio Girardot remains delicately poised.

Match overview

Once Caldas began with the intensity expected of a home side in a cup knockout tie, pressing high and forcing Nacional into several early clearances. The visitors gradually settled into their passing rhythm, but they were always wary of Once Caldas’s direct running and willingness to shoot from distance. The game was played at a relentless pace, with midfield duels and quick transitions shaping the contest.

Nacional finished with more possession and more passes in the final third, but Once Caldas carried a genuine threat from set pieces and counter-attacks. The home side’s defensive block was well organised for long periods, while Nacional’s best work came when their central midfielders combined quickly to release the wide players into space.

Key moments

The opener arrived in the 23rd minute when Once Caldas won a corner on the right. The delivery was whipped toward the near post, and defender Juan Pablo Ríos powered a header across goal and into the far corner to send the Palogrande crowd into celebration.

Atlético Nacional nearly responded immediately, with a low drive from the edge of the area forcing a smart save from the Once Caldas goalkeeper. The equaliser came in the 61st minute after Nacional recycled possession patiently on the left. A clever reverse pass opened the space, and Kevin Viveros struck a first-time effort into the bottom corner from just inside the box.

The final half-hour was end-to-end. Once Caldas headed a good chance wide from another set piece, while Nacional broke clear on the counter in the 88th minute only to be denied by a brave block. In stoppage time, a dipping free-kick from Nacional was pushed over the bar, and the hosts survived one final scramble to keep the tie level.

Tactical story

Once Caldas lined up in a 4-2-3-1 with an aggressive first line of pressure, trying to stop Nacional from building short from the back. Their wide players tucked inside when defending, making it difficult for Nacional to find clean passing lanes through the middle. The home side also targeted set pieces relentlessly, and that approach produced the opening goal.

Atlético Nacional used a 4-3-3 and gradually adjusted their build-up after the break, dropping a midfielder deeper to create numerical superiority against Once Caldas’s front two. That change allowed them to progress the ball more comfortably and pin the hosts back. The equaliser was a product of that sustained control, but Nacional still had to defend with concentration as Once Caldas pushed for a winner.

Standout players

Ríos was a towering presence for Once Caldas, scoring the opener and winning several important duels in both boxes. The home goalkeeper also deserves credit for a handful of assured saves, while the midfield worked tirelessly to disrupt Nacional’s rhythm.

For Atlético Nacional, Viveros was the standout attacking threat, taking his goal with real composure and stretching the defence with his movement. The visiting midfield grew into the game and controlled long spells after the interval, giving Nacional a solid platform to take into the second leg.

What the result means

The 1-1 draw leaves the Copa BetPlay DIMAYOR quarter-final balanced on a knife-edge. Once Caldas will be pleased to have avoided defeat at home and will fancy their chances on the counter in Medellín, while Atlético Nacional will back their possession game and home advantage to finish the job at the Atanasio Girardot. With no clear favourite heading into the return leg, the tie remains one of the most intriguing fixtures on the Colombian cup calendar.