A difficult debut for Camilo Ayala. Atlético Nacional defeated Alianza FC 3-0 in the eighth matchday of the Liga BetPlay, a game that as well marked the debut of the Antioquian as the new coach of the Valledupar team.
From the start, Nacional came out aggressively, taking control of the game and quickly opening the scoring. Chicho Arango capitalized on a rebound from goalkeeper Juan Camilo Chaverra following a shot by Juan Manuel Rengifo, set up by Alfredo Morelos, to develop it 1-0. A goal on his debut at the Atanasio Girardot.
The goal was briefly under review, as VAR had to check a collision between the attacker and the goalkeeper, but the replay confirmed the goal was valid. Alianza absorbed the early blow but didn’t falter, searching for an equalizer, however, the Verdolaga defense and Ospina thwarted their efforts.
Damas y caballeros, es de nuestro agrado informarles que el señor Cristian Arango, acaba de marcar su primer gol con Atlético Nacional 😌⚽️ pic.twitter.com/moqffILWPQ
— Atlético Nacional (@nacionaloficial) February 21, 2026
Nacional controlled the tempo, but a mistake by Ospina nearly allowed Alianza to equalize. The goalkeeper played a short pass, leaving the ball in his own half allowing Carlos Esparragoza to shoot from distance, forcing a save from the keeper.
Around the half-hour mark, Jesús Muñoz scored for the visitors, but the goal was disallowed due to a prior foul by Carlos Lucumí on David Ospina. After the restart, Alfredo Morelos doubled the lead, using his pace to beat goalkeeper Chaverra.
Early in the second half, Camilo Ayala, making his debut on the Alianza FC bench received a red card for interfering with Morelos’ throw-in. In the 56th minute, the forward completed his brace thanks to a strong connection between Matheus and Rengifo, who set him up for a clear shot on the already beaten goalkeeper.
With 20 minutes remaining, a scuffle broke out between players. Esparragoza and Morelos exchanged heated words, sparking a confrontation involving several teammates. Both players were cautioned, and the game concluded without further incident. Nacional finished by controlling possession in midfield, while Alianza, defeated, simply awaited the final whistle.
Noticias relacionadas
The three points went to the Verdolaga team, who are now fifth with 12 points and only five games played. Their next outing is on February 25th against Independiente Santa Fe at El Campín.
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Substitutions
Charly Villegas (61′, Wiston Fernández), Ever Meza (61′, ), Yeiner Londoño (62′, Felipe Pardo), Marlos Moreno (63′, Cristian Arango), Nicolás Rodríguez (64′, Andrés Sarmiento), Edwin Cardona (72′, Mateus Uribe), Dairon Asprilla (72′, Alfredo Morelos), Juan Viveros (75′, Jesús Figueroa), Eduard Banguero (75′, Jesús Muñoz), Elkin Rivero (84′, Jorman Campuzano)
Goals
1-0, 8′: Cristian Arango, 2-0, 32′: Alfredo Morelos, 3-0, 55′: Alfredo Morelos
Cards
Referee: José Alexander Ortiz Novoa
VAR Referee: Esnaider Pontón, John Alexander León
Cristian Arango (20′,Yellow), Jorman Campuzano (37′,Yellow), Andrés Román (45′,Yellow), Camilo Ayala (47′,Red), Carlos Esparragoza (72′,Yellow), Alfredo Morelos (72′,Yellow)
