Millonarios Beat Deportivo Pasto 2-0 to Climb to Fifth in Liga BetPlay

Millonarios secured a 2-0 win over Deportivo Pasto on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at El Campín stadium in Bogotá. The victory, marked by goals from defender Andrés Llinás and forward Leonardo Castro, lifted the capital club to fifth place with six points, while Pasto remained without a win in the 2026-II season.

Teams Enter with Contrasting Form

Millonarios entered the match with a mixed record, having earned one win and one loss in the first two games of the season. Their opponent, Pasto, had suffered two defeats, conceding five goals and scoring three. Despite this, the historical head-to-head favored Millonarios, who had won two of their last five encounters against the Nariño-based team.

The match highlighted the contrasting challenges each side faced. Millonarios, despite their recent struggles at home, aimed to reclaim their status as a formidable host, while Pasto sought to break their winless streak and avoid falling further down the table. The teams’ tactical approaches also diverged, with Millonarios employing a 5-2-3 formation under coach Fabián Bustos, while Pasto opted for a 4-5-1 setup led by Jonathan Risueño.

Llinás and Castro Seal the Win

Llinás opened the scoring in the 24th minute of the first half, converting a cross from Francisco Chaverra with a precise header into the right corner of the net. The goal showcased the defender’s attacking influence, a theme that continued throughout the match. Castro added a second in the 17th minute of the second half, slotting the ball past Pasto goalkeeper Ederson Cabezas.

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The victory was not without tension. Pasto’s goalkeeper, Cabezas, made eight saves to keep his team in the game, while Millonarios’ defense, led by Sebastián Valencia, endured a tense second-half spell. A missed penalty by Castro in the first half and a yellow card to Jorge Arias in the 41st minute of the second half underscored the match’s intensity.

Referee Sebastián Toro Gomez managed the game, issuing only one yellow card. The match concluded with Millonarios dominating possession and creating multiple chances, though Pasto’s resilience kept the scoreline closer than the final result suggested.

Millonarios Seek Home Revival

The win marked a rare bright spot for Millonarios, who had struggled to win at El Campín in recent seasons. In their last 10 home matches across all competitions, the club had secured just three victories, a statistic that fueled frustration among fans. Bustos’ decision to deploy a defensive line of five players aimed to address this weakness, though the team’s attacking output remained inconsistent.

Pasto, meanwhile, faced a critical juncture in their campaign. The team had failed to replicate the success of the 2026-I season. Their current form, including a 3-2 loss to Deportivo Independiente Medellín and a 2-1 defeat to Águilas Doradas, raised concerns about their ability to avoid relegation. The match against Millonarios was seen as a pivotal opportunity to turn their season around.

What’s Next for Both Teams?

Millonarios will face a tough test in their next match, traveling to Medellín to take on Independiente Medellín. The team’s ability to maintain their momentum will depend on their capacity to adapt to away games and avoid complacency. Pasto, meanwhile, will host Deportivo Cali in their next fixture, a match that could determine their survival in the league.

The result underscores the unpredictability of the Liga BetPlay, where even historically dominant teams like Millonarios can face challenges from underdogs. For fans, the match served as a reminder of the league’s competitive nature, with every game carrying significant implications for the season’s outcome.