Once Caldas ran riot early, scoring three times in the first 14 minutes to take full control of the game. Jefry Zapata, Andrés Roa and Michael Barrios all found the net inside a devastating spell, leaving Cúcuta Deportivo chasing the game from the outset.
Zapata opened the scoring from Andrés Roa’s assist after just two minutes, before Roa himself doubled the lead in the tenth minute from Luis Gómez’s pass. Barrios made it 3-0 four minutes later. Lucas Ríos got one back for Cúcuta just before half-time, but a late double from Mateo Zuleta (87') and an added-time goal sealed a fifth.
Despite enjoying 58% possession and firing in 25 total shots – 14 off target – Cúcuta could not turn dominance into goals. Once Caldas, with just 16 attempts but eight on target, were far more clinical, creating and scoring both of the game’s big chances.
