Colombia Wrap: Gap at top closed by Millonarios

Led by captain Mayer Candelo, Millonarios had few problems overcoming Itagui to rise to 21 points from 11 matches and claim second position in the table.

Millonarios leapfrogged Once Caldas and Santa Fe (both 20 points), while Nacional occupy top spot in the standings with 25 points.

Candelo played a role in all three of Millonarios' goals on Sunday, providing the final pass to the latter two.

The 37-year-old attacking midfielder was part of a crisp move on the left-hand side of Millonarios' attacking penalty area in the 13th minute, which culminated with Alex Diaz smashing the ball past Itagui goalkeeper David Gonzalez.

Itagui kept giving the home side too much space through the middle and on the stroke of half-time, Candelo burst forward with the ball at his feet, before feeding Dayro Moreno, who toe-poked his shot under Gonzalez.

In the 77th minute, Candelo teed up Harrison Otalvaro for Millonarios' third goal after the 28-year-old midfielder was allowed to run unmarked through the middle of Itagui's defence.

Sunday's win was Millonarios' third in a row in the Primera A and extended their unbeaten run to eight matches.

With Nacional held to a 1-1 draw by Deportivo Pasto on Friday, Millonarios edged closer to the league leaders.

Once Caldas drew 1-1 at Boyaca Chico to drop to third, while Santa Fe defeated La Equidad 2-0 on Saturday to temporarily sit above Millonarios, before the latter's win on Sunday.

Uniautonoma extended Medellin's misery at the bottom of the table, winning 4-2, while Deportes Tolima cruised to a 3-1 win over Junior, Envigado defeated Atletico Huila 2-0 and Deportivo Cali triumphed 2-1 over Patriotas Boyaca.

In the other match of the weekend, Alianza Petrolera edged out Fortaleza 1-0.

Latest in
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
Premier League ball
Quiz! Can you name the players to have scored Premier League hat-tricks?
James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur scores their 2nd goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Etihad Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Tottenham and Manchester City could smash transfer record for British wonderkid: report
Tottenham Hotspur back row (L-R) Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen; front row (L-R) Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies during the Champions League match against Juventus at the Wembley Stadium on March 7, 2018 in London United Kingdom
Tottenham cult hero calls retirement - to avoid 'painkiller dependency'
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Latest in News
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur scores their 2nd goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Etihad Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Tottenham and Manchester City could smash transfer record for British wonderkid: report
Tottenham Hotspur back row (L-R) Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen; front row (L-R) Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies during the Champions League match against Juventus at the Wembley Stadium on March 7, 2018 in London United Kingdom
Tottenham cult hero calls retirement - to avoid 'painkiller dependency'
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Arsenal squad for 2024/25 LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates scoring his teams first goal with teammates during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Arsenal FC and Olympique Lyonnais at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal warned, as Real Madrid are coming for their star next: report