Once Caldas and Deportivo Pereira share the spoils in tense Clásico Cafetero

Once Caldas and Deportivo Pereira played out a 1-1 draw in Categoría Primera A at Estadio Palogrande on 25 October 2026, splitting the points in a fiercely contested Clásico Cafetero. The home side struck first through Mateo Castaño, but Pereira responded after the break with a composed finish from Yeison Suárez, leaving both teams to reflect on a night of fine margins in the Finalización playoff race.

The early kickoff did little to dampen the atmosphere. Once Caldas, backed by a noisy home crowd, looked the more assertive side in the opening half-hour, while Pereira sat compact and looked to spring forward through quick transitions. The draw keeps both clubs in the congested group chasing a top-eight finish and underlines how difficult away points are becoming to earn in the Colombian top flight.

Match overview

Once Caldas settled into a rhythm quickly, controlling possession through the middle and using their full-backs to stretch Pereira’s defensive line. The home side’s best early work came from set pieces, and it was from a corner that they broke the deadlock. Pereira, meanwhile, were content to absorb pressure and attack the spaces left behind Once Caldas’ advanced full-backs.

The second half was a more open contest. Once Caldas pushed for a second goal, but Pereira’s equaliser changed the tempo and forced the home side to chase the game again. Both coaches made attacking substitutions in the final 20 minutes, yet neither side could find a winner, with the final whistle greeted by a mixture of relief and frustration.

Key moments

• 23rd minute – Once Caldas take the lead: Sebastián Guzmán delivered a dangerous corner from the right, and Mateo Castaño rose highest at the near post to head the ball down and into the net.
• 38th minute – Pereira threaten: Carlos Ramírez found space on the edge of the box and forced a sharp save from the Once Caldas goalkeeper, a warning sign before the interval.
• 61st minute – Pereira equalise: Yeison Suárez timed his run perfectly to meet a through ball, held off a defender, and slotted a low finish beyond the goalkeeper to make it 1-1.
• 84th minute – Late drama: Once Caldas thought they had restored their lead when a header found the net from another set piece, but the assistant referee’s flag cut the celebration short.
• 90+3 minutes – Final save: Pereira’s goalkeeper produced a strong stop at his near post to deny a late Once Caldas winner and secure a hard-earned away point.

Tactical story

Once Caldas lined up in a 4-2-3-1 shape designed to dominate the ball and pin Pereira back. Their midfield double pivot allowed the full-backs to push high, and the home side repeatedly looked to create overloads on the flanks. The approach worked well in the first half, especially from set pieces, but it also left space for Pereira to counter.

Pereira’s 4-4-2 mid-block was disciplined rather than passive. The visitors kept their lines close together, forced Once Caldas wide, and then looked to release Suárez into the channels. That plan produced the equaliser and nearly a winner on the break. The tactical battle was a classic contrast between home-side control and away-side counter-attacking, and neither approach earned a decisive edge.

Standout performers

Mateo Castaño was Once Caldas’ most influential attacking figure, not only for his opening goal but also for his movement across the front line. Sebastián Guzmán’s delivery from dead balls was a constant threat, while the home goalkeeper made two important saves to keep the score level before Pereira’s equaliser.

For Deportivo Pereira, Yeison Suárez was the standout. His equalising goal was taken with composure, and his running in behind kept the Once Caldas centre-backs honest throughout. Carlos Ramírez also impressed with his link-up play, and Pereira’s goalkeeper delivered the late save that preserved the draw.

What the draw means

The point keeps both teams in the hunt for a top-eight finish in Categoría Primera A, but the result will feel different in each dressing room. Once Caldas will rue two dropped points at home, especially after taking the lead and creating enough chances to win. Pereira, by contrast, will take confidence from a disciplined away performance against a regional rival.

With the Finalización phase entering its decisive stretch, every point carries extra weight. The head-to-head remains tightly balanced after this latest chapter, and both clubs will know that their playoff ambitions may depend on turning draws like this into victories in the weeks ahead.