Deportivo Pasto and Santa Fe met in a crucial Liga BetPlay encounter on April 23, 2026, at Estadio Departamental Libertad in Pasto, Nariño. The match carried significant implications for both clubs as the regular season entered its final stretch. Pasto, already qualified for the playoffs and sitting second in the standings, aimed to secure home advantage for the postseason. Santa Fe, battling to remain in contention for a top-eight finish, needed a victory to retain their hopes alive.
From the opening whistle, the intensity was palpable. Santa Fe began with purpose, pressing high and looking to exploit spaces behind Pasto’s defensive line. The visitors created the first notable chance in the 12th minute when a quick interchange down the right flank resulted in a low cross that was narrowly missed by Hugo Rodallega. Pasto responded with a counterattack led by Andrés Ricaurte, whose through ball found Luis Díaz in space, but the winger’s shot was deflected wide for a corner.
As the first half progressed, Santa Fe gained greater control of possession. Their midfield trio of Daniel Luna, Jéfferson Mena and Carlos Sierra dictated tempo, frequently switching play to stretch Pasto’s shape. In the 28th minute, Luna delivered a precise diagonal ball to Rodallega, who turned his marker and fired a low drive from the edge of the box that forced Pasto goalkeeper Alejandro Martínez into a smart save to his left. The rebound fell to Santiago Rodríguez, whose follow-up effort was blocked by a sliding challenge from Pasto captain Víctor Guzmán.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 39th minute. After winning possession in midfield, Santa Fe launched a swift transition. Rodallega received the ball just inside the Pasto half, drew two defenders before laying it off to Luna on the left. Luna’s first-time cross found the unmarked Fagúndez at the far post, and the Uruguayan forward headed the ball low and hard into the bottom corner, giving Santa Fe a 1-0 lead. The goal came after 18 minutes of sustained pressure and marked Fagúndez’s fourth goal in his last five appearances for the Cardenales.
Pasto emerged from the halftime break with renewed urgency. Head coach Flabio Torres made a tactical adjustment, pushing Díaz higher up the pitch to support Estupiñán and increase pressure on Santa Fe’s backline. The change almost paid immediate dividends when Estupiñán latched onto a loose ball in the 52nd minute and drove toward the box, only to witness his effort saved by Santa Fe goalkeeper Andrés Mosquera Marmolejo with his feet.
Santa Fe doubled their advantage in the 69th minute through a moment of individual brilliance. Rodallega, receiving the ball with his back to goal just outside the Pasto area, turned sharply on his left foot and unleashed a powerful right-footed shot that flew into the top corner, leaving Martínez rooted. The goal, Rodallega’s eighth of the season, sparked celebrations among the traveling Santa Fe supporters and put the visitors firmly in control.
Despite trailing 2-0, Pasto refused to yield. In the 76th minute, a well-worked move down the left saw Díaz cut inside and deliver a dangerous low cross that was met by Estupiñán at the near post, but his header was narrowly wide. Two minutes later, Pasto thought they had pulled one back when Díaz appeared to score from close range, but the assistant referee’s flag went up for offside, a decision confirmed after a brief VAR review.
The final minutes saw Pasto throw everything forward in search of a lifeline. Santa Fe, yet, remained compact and dangerous on the break. In the 83rd minute, Estupiñán rose highest to meet a Díaz corner and forced a strong one-handed save from Mosquera Marmolejo, who pushed the ball behind for another corner. From the resulting set piece, Pasto’s Guzmán got a touch on the near-post flick-on, but the ball sailed harmlessly wide.
When the referee blew for full time, Santa Fe had secured a vital 2-0 victory. The result lifted them to 26 points in seventh place, strengthening their grip on a playoff spot. Pasto remained second with 33 points but missed the opportunity to confirm their position as one of the top two seeds heading into the quarterfinals.
Post-match, Santa Fe coach Hubert Bodhert praised his team’s discipline and execution. “We stuck to the game plan, were patient in possession, and took our chances when they came,” Bodhert said. “This win gives us belief as we head into the final matches of the regular season.”
For Deportivo Pasto, the focus now shifts to securing home advantage in the playoffs. With one match remaining against Deportivo Cali, a win would guarantee them second place and the associated benefits. Santa Fe, meanwhile, will face Atlético Bucaramanga in their final regular-season fixture, knowing that a victory could potentially elevate them into the top six depending on other results.
The Liga BetPlay enters its decisive phase next week, with all matches scheduled simultaneously on the final matchday to ensure sporting integrity. Fans can follow developments through official club channels and the league’s broadcast partners.