Once Caldas 3 – 0 Envigado FC
Copa BetPlay DIMAYOR | 22 July 2026

Once Caldas produced a dominant display at the Estadio Palogrande on Wednesday night, cruising to a comprehensive 3–0 victory over Envigado FC in the Copa BetPlay. The Manizales side showcased their attacking firepower and defensive solidity to take a commanding lead in the two-legged tie.

Match Overview

From the opening whistle, Once Caldas imposed themselves on the game. Playing with intensity and precision, they pinned Envigado deep inside their own half. The visitors, traditionally a club that develops young talent, struggled to cope with the pace and movement of the home attack. By halftime, the scoreline already reflected the gulf in class on the night.

Key Moments

Once Caldas opened the scoring in the 18th minute. A corner from the left was met by towering centre-back Jhon Jairo García, who powered a header past Envigado’s goalkeeper from six yards out. The goal settled any early nerves.

The second goal arrived in the 34th minute. A flowing move involving winger Kevin Londoño and midfielder Sebastián Rivas ended with striker Juan Pablo Márquez finishing first-time from the edge of the box. Márquez’s strike was both precise and powerful, leaving the keeper with no chance.

The third and final goal came on the stroke of halftime. Kevin Londoño turned from provider to scorer, cutting inside from the left and curling a delightful shot into the far corner. The 3–0 scoreline at the break effectively killed the tie as a contest.

Tactical Story

Once Caldas deployed a fluid 4-2-3-1 formation, with Márquez as the focal point and Londoño and Rivas providing creativity from wide areas. Their high press forced Envigado into repeated errors, and the home side’s transition play was devastating. Envigado’s 4-3-3 was overrun in midfield, and their forwards were isolated for most of the match. Once Caldas’s double pivot of Carlos Andrés Moreno and Duván Mina controlled the tempo and snuffed out any counter-attempts.

Standout Players

• Kevin Londoño (Once Caldas) – Scored one goal and assisted another, terrorising the Envigado defence with his dribbling and final ball.
• Juan Pablo Márquez (Once Caldas) – A constant threat upfront, scored a beautiful goal and linked play brilliantly.
• Jhon Jairo García (Once Caldas) – Dominant in both boxes, headed the opener and was immovable at the back.
• Andrés Felipe Restrepo (Envigado FC) – The goalkeeper made several saves to prevent the scoreline from being even heavier.

Season & Cup Impact

Once Caldas have one foot in the next round of the Copa BetPlay ahead of the second leg. The 3–0 home win gives them a huge advantage, and they can approach the return fixture in Envigado with confidence. For Envigado, the mountain is almost certainly too high to climb. The club’s focus will likely now shift entirely to securing their Liga BetPlay status, as they sit near the relegation places. Once Caldas, meanwhile, look like genuine contenders for cup glory this season.