MANIZALES, Colombia – Millonarios delivered a dominant performance on the road, defeating Once Caldas 4-1 at Estadio Palogrande on Thursday, March 21, 2026. The victory propels Millonarios into the top eight of the Liga BetPlay standings, showcasing their tactical prowess and clinical finishing. The match, played under rainy conditions, saw Millonarios capitalize on defensive vulnerabilities from the home side.
The visitors established control early, exploiting the space afforded to them and engaging in one-on-one battles in the opponent’s territory. Once Caldas struggled to contain Millonarios’ attack, and the Azules were quick to punish their defensive lapses. Rodrigo Ureña proved instrumental in the win, providing two crucial assists that unlocked the Once Caldas defense.
Beckham Castro Breaks the Deadlock
Despite an early attempt from Once Caldas’ Luis Sánchez – a promising collective play involving Dayro, Zapata, and Cuesta that ultimately lacked a finishing touch – Millonarios quickly responded. A well-placed cross from Carlos Sarabia found Rodrigo Contreras, who skillfully laid the ball off for Beckham Castro. While Castro initially struggled with his finish, he would later redeem himself. The breakthrough came in added time of the first half, as Castro received a masterful pass from Ureña, leaving him one-on-one with Joan Parra and powerfully striking the ball past the goalkeeper. The goal sparked celebrations from the Millonarios players and drew applause from coach Alberto Bustos for Ureña’s assist.
Second-Half Surge Seals the Victory
The second half saw Once Caldas attempt to quickly close the gap, but a goal was disallowed in the 46th minute due to a poor finish from Dayro Moreno. Millonarios absorbed the pressure and effectively transitioned to a counter-attacking strategy. In the 58th minute, Sebastián Valencia pressured the Once Caldas defense, winning possession and setting up Mackalister Silva for a well-placed finish. Silva, but, refrained from celebrating, reportedly in response to news regarding Santiago Castillón, who is currently in intensive care after collapsing during a youth classic.
Once Caldas managed to pull one back through Dayro Moreno, converting a well-taken free kick that Diego Novoa was partially at fault for. However, Millonarios quickly regained their momentum. Elizalde recovered possession, combined with Darwin Quintero, and delivered a stunning assist to Rodrigo Contreras, who scored his sixth league goal of the season.
The rout was completed in the 80th minute when Andrés Llinás headed home a cross from Ureña, extending Millonarios’ lead to 4-1. Earlier in the half, Joan Parra showcased his reflexes, denying a long-range effort from Valencia.
The match too saw several substitutions from both sides, including Michael Barrios and Mateo Zuleta for Millonarios, and Jaime Alvarado and Kevin Tamayo for Once Caldas. The referee, Wilmar Alexander Roldán Pérez, issued several yellow cards throughout the contest, including cautions for Beckham Castro, Juan Cuesta, Herrera, Robert Mejía, Rodrigo Contreras, and Mateo García.
Standings Implications and What’s Next
With this triumph, Millonarios climbed to 20 points and currently sits in fifth place in the Liga BetPlay standings. Once Caldas remains on 23 points. Millonarios will next face Fortaleza, while Once Caldas will travel to play Llaneros.
The convincing win demonstrates Millonarios’ growing confidence and tactical flexibility. Rodrigo Ureña’s performance, highlighted by his two assists, was particularly noteworthy, and the team’s ability to exploit defensive weaknesses proved decisive. The victory also underscores Millonarios’ ambition to secure a playoff spot as the Liga BetPlay season progresses.
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