VALLEDUPAR (Interstat) — Llaneros used goals from Juan Castilla and Jhon Vasquez to secure a 2-1 victory over Alianza on Sunday at Estadio Armando Maestre Pavajeau. Alianza was the home side, but Llaneros made the decisive plays in a match that featured early goals, a handful of bookings and a late push that fell short. The result moved Llaneros to 3-3 in this competition and 3-4 across all competitions. Alianza dropped to 2-3-1 in this competition and 2-3-1 across all competitions. Llaneros had entered the match looking to build on recent form, while Alianza sought a response after a difficult run of results. The visitors found the opener early and then answered after Alianza briefly leveled, producing the final margin before the match settled into a scrappy contest.

Castilla opened the scoring in the 16th minute for Llaneros, finishing a sequence that put the visitors in front. Alianza responded in the 21st when Misael Martinez found the net, briefly leveling the match. Llaneros answered later through Vasquez, whose goal proved to be the difference. Castilla logged 64 minutes and scored once; Vasquez logged 79 minutes and scored once; Martinez logged 34 minutes and scored once. Jhojan Escobar played all 90 minutes for Llaneros and supplied an assist, while Felipe Pardo logged 74 minutes for Alianza and recorded an assist. The first two goals came in a lively opening half-hour, with Castilla’s early strike setting the tone and Martinez’s reply giving the home side hope. Vasquez’s finish restored Llaneros’ advantage and forced Alianza to chase the game over the final hour.

The match was choppy at times, with five yellow cards. Llaneros’ J. Pertuz was booked in the fifth minute, and teammate D. Quintero followed in the 41st. Alianza’s J. Castillo was cautioned in the 70th, Llaneros’ M. Sierra in the 84th and Alianza’s J. E. Perez Balcazar in stoppage time after the 90th minute. Substitutions began early for Alianza, with Martinez replaced in the 34th minute. Alianza also made changes at the 46th and 57th minutes before Llaneros made a double switch in the 64th, replacing J. Ramirez and Castilla. Llaneros made further changes in the 70th and 79th minutes, and Alianza replaced Castillo and Pardo in the 74th. The flurry of changes disrupted rhythm, but Llaneros maintained their advantage as Alianza rotated players in search of an equalizer.

Alianza pressed for an equalizer after falling behind, but Llaneros held its shape and protected the lead. The home side’s best attacking moments came through Martinez before his early exit and Pardo before his replacement, while Llaneros leaned on the scoring contributions of Castilla and Vasquez and the assist from Escobar. The game’s early goals set the tone: Castilla struck first for Llaneros, Martinez answered for Alianza, and Vasquez put Llaneros back in front for good. From there, discipline and substitutions shaped the closing stages as Alianza chased the game without finding a second goal. Llaneros’ defense absorbed pressure in the final minutes, and Alianza could not turn late possession into a clear chance. The visitors’ ability to score in key moments proved enough on a day when neither side controlled long stretches. Llaneros’ previous results this season included a win over Junior, a win over Santa Fe and losses to Jaguares de Cordoba, Dep. Cali, Inter Bogota and Once Caldas. Alianza’s previous results included a win over Inter Bogota, a win over AD Pasto, a draw with Aguilas and losses to Ind. Medellin and Once Caldas.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 1-1 final score, and its ELO system gave Alianza a 72.7 percent probability to win. Alianza had been installed as the pregame favorite with a spread of -0.5. The total score of 3 went under the over/under line of 2.5.