Atlético Nacional vs Junior

Atlético Nacional snapped a three-match winless run in style, beating Junior 3-1 at the Atanasio Girardot behind a man-of-the-match display from debutant starter and new captain James Rodríguez. The Colombian playmaker set the tone from his very first touch and was at the heart of everything positive the home side produced. Andrés Sarmiento opened the scoring inside the first ten minutes before Guillermo Paiva leveled for Junior. Andrés Román then took over, converting a Rodríguez assist for his first goal and doubling his tally in the 60th minute off a pass from Ian Poveda. Tempers flared when Rodríguez and Junior captain Teófilo Gutiérrez clashed midway through the second half, and the visitors also had a goal chalked off for handball before Rodríguez was withdrawn to a standing ovation. The win lifts Nacional into second place, within striking distance of the league leaders, while Junior slide further down the table as their struggles continue.