Deportivo Pasto secured a gritty 1-0 home victory over Deportiva Once Caldas in Colombia’s Categoría Primera A on September 20, 2026. A second-half goal at the Estadio Departamental Libertad separated the sides in a match defined by midfield battles, defensive resilience, and one crucial moment of finishing.

Match Overview

Pasto began with the urgency of a team determined to make home advantage count. Their midfield pressed Once Caldas aggressively, forcing turnovers in wide areas and creating a steady stream of crosses into the penalty box. Once Caldas, traditionally dangerous on the counter, tried to absorb pressure and spring forward through their veteran attackers, but they struggled to find clean connections in the final third.

The decisive moment came in the 58th minute. After a patient build-up on the left, Pasto worked the ball into the box and Darwin López reacted first, turning a half-cleared ball into a low finish past the goalkeeper. It was the kind of poacher’s goal that has become a hallmark of Pasto’s home form and sent the Libertad crowd into full voice.

• Final score: Deportivo Pasto 1, Deportiva Once Caldas 0
• Competition: Categoría Primera A
• Goal: Darwin López 58’
• Venue: Estadio Departamental Libertad, Pasto

Key Moments

Once Caldas had spells where they looked the more polished side in possession. In the 22nd minute, a sharp save from the Pasto goalkeeper denied them an opener after a well-worked move down the right. Ten minutes before halftime, Once Caldas headed a corner against the crossbar, a warning that the home side could not afford to sit too deep.

After Pasto took the lead, the game opened up. Once Caldas pushed bodies forward and won a penalty in the 83rd minute, but the veteran forward Dayro Moreno saw his spot kick saved by the Pasto goalkeeper, a moment that proved decisive. Pasto survived a frantic final period of stoppage time, clearing a series of long throws and crosses to protect their narrow advantage.

Tactical Story

Pasto set up in a compact 4-2-3-1, looking to win the ball in midfield and attack quickly through the half-spaces. Their wingers stayed narrow out of possession, making it difficult for Once Caldas to play through the middle, while the full-backs handled the visitors’ overlapping runs. The approach was not always pretty, but it was effective: Pasto conceded few clear chances from open play and forced Once Caldas into low-percentage shots.

Once Caldas switched to a more direct style after the goal, introducing extra forward runners and aiming early crosses toward the box. Pasto responded by dropping their defensive line slightly deeper and relying on their center-backs to win aerial duels. The missed penalty was the turning point of the tactical battle: had Once Caldas scored, the final minutes would have looked very different.

Standout Players

• Darwin López: The match-winner, sharp in the box and relentless in his pressing from the front.
• Pasto goalkeeper: A crucial save from the penalty and several confident claims under late pressure.
• Dayro Moreno: Once Caldas’ most dangerous attacking presence, even though his penalty miss defined the night.
• Pasto’s center-backs: Commanding in the air and calm in possession during the closing stages.

Season Impact

The result gives Deportivo Pasto an important home win in the Categoría Primera A standings and reinforces their reputation as a difficult team to beat at the Estadio Departamental Libertad. For Once Caldas, it is a painful away defeat, especially given the late penalty opportunity. The three points could matter greatly in the race for playoff positions, where head-to-head results and home form often decide which clubs advance. Pasto will hope this victory becomes a platform for a stronger run, while Once Caldas must regroup quickly to avoid losing further ground in the table.