MEDELLIN (Interstat) — Edwin Cardona scored in the 13th minute, R. Escorcia added a goal in the 52nd and Juan Rengifo capped the scoring in the 90th as Atletico Nacional defeated AD Pasto 3-0 on Thursday in a Colombian league match. Atletico Nacional improved to 2 wins and 1 loss in the competition and 3 wins and 1 loss across all competitions. AD Pasto dropped to 0 wins and 2 losses in the competition and 0 wins and 2 losses overall. The home side led from Cardona’s early goal and added second-half goals from Escorcia and Rengifo while keeping AD Pasto off the scoreboard. Atletico Nacional’s win marked the club’s second victory in the competition this season and its third victory across all competitions.

Cardona gave Atletico Nacional the lead when he finished in the 13th minute. The home side carried that advantage through halftime. X. Rios was shown a yellow card for Atletico Nacional in the 41st minute. AD Pasto’s F. Torijano was booked in the 50th minute. Atletico Nacional led 1-0 at the break and went ahead 2-0 when Escorcia scored in the 52nd minute. A. Reyes of Atletico Nacional was cautioned in the 56th minute. The match grew more physical as the second half wore on, with the card count rising on both sides. Escorcia’s goal came seven minutes after Torijano’s caution and gave the hosts a two-goal advantage. Reyes’ caution followed four minutes later.

AD Pasto made substitutions in the 61st minute, with D. Chavez and M. Gil entering the match. Atletico Nacional made a triple substitution in the 65th minute, as Escorcia, E. Cabrera and Cardona departed. The changes ended Cardona’s and Escorcia’s appearances after their goals. AD Pasto’s J. Perlaza and N. Gil entered in the 68th and 69th minutes, respectively. Atletico Nacional’s C. Haydar was booked in the 73rd minute and was substituted in the same minute, along with S. Rojas. AD Pasto’s H. Mancilla entered in the 80th minute. The substitutions came with Atletico Nacional ahead 2-0, and the home side retained that advantage until Rengifo’s closing goal.

Rengifo sealed the result with a goal in the 90th minute. Rengifo’s statline was 90 minutes and one goal. Cardona finished with 65 minutes and one goal, and Escorcia had 65 minutes and one goal. Juan Zapata played 90 minutes and recorded one assist. Nicolas Rodriguez played 25 minutes and recorded one assist. Atletico Nacional’s goals came from Cardona, Escorcia and Rengifo, while Zapata and Rodriguez were credited with assists. The assist from Rodriguez came during his 25-minute appearance, and Zapata’s assist came over his full 90 minutes.

Atletico Nacional had lost 1-0 to Cucuta in its previous match but had beaten Chico 4-1 and Independiente Medellin 3-2 earlier this season. AD Pasto had lost 1-0 to Alianza in its previous outing. Atletico Nacional is next scheduled to face Independiente Medellin, while AD Pasto is set to visit Deportes Tolima. The result gave Atletico Nacional its second win in the competition and its third win across all competitions. AD Pasto remained without a win in the competition and across all competitions. The next fixtures will keep both clubs in league play.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Atletico Nacional 1, AD Pasto 0. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Atletico Nacional with a 61.3 percent probability to win. Atletico Nacional had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -1.5, and the total score of 3 went under the over/under line of 2.5. The simulator and ELO projections were made before kickoff.