When you think about South American football, you usually picture the giants—the Boca Juniors or the Flamengos of the world. But sometimes, the real magic happens in those gritty, high-altitude battles between teams that have everything to prove. That's exactly what happened when Once Caldas - Gualberto Villarroel San José shared the pitch in the 2025 Copa Sudamericana. Honestly, it wasn't just another game. It was a collision between a historic Colombian institution and a Bolivian newcomer with a name that’s a mouthful and a point to prove.
Most people don't realize how high the stakes were. For Once Caldas, it was about reclaiming their "El Blanco" glory. For GV San José, it was about showing they weren't just a shadow of the "old" San José club.
What Really Happened with Once Caldas - Gualberto Villarroel San José
The 2025 Group F saga in the Copa Sudamericana was a wild ride. Once Caldas basically dominated, but GV San José made them sweat more than the stats might suggest. If you look at the match at Estadio Palogrande on May 15, 2025, the final score was 2-1 for the Colombians. But man, it was a nail-biter.
Jerson Malagón opened the scoring for Caldas in the 35th minute. You'd think the home crowd would relax, right? Wrong. Ferddy Roca silenced the Manizales faithful in the 58th minute. The stadium went quiet. Like, dead quiet. It took a late strike from Esteban Beltrán in the 79th minute, assisted by the legendary Dayro Moreno, to secure the three points. That win was massive. It pushed Once Caldas to 12 points and essentially booked their ticket to the next round, while effectively ending the continental dream for the Bolivians.
The away leg in Oruro was even crazier. Playing at the Estadio Jesús Bermúdez is a nightmare for anyone not used to the thin air. GV San José actually put up a hell of a fight, scoring twice through Becerra and Villamil. However, Once Caldas showed why they are former Libertadores champions. They clawed back for a 3-2 victory. Dayro Moreno was doing Dayro Moreno things—scoring and leading.
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The Gualberto Villarroel Identity Crisis
Let’s clear something up because it's kinda confusing for casual fans. Gualberto Villarroel San José is not the original Club San José that went bankrupt. They are a different entity that rose from the regional leagues in Oruro, bought the name rights, and adopted the classic "V" jersey.
A lot of the old-school San José supporters actually protested at first. They felt like the new club was trying to wear a dead man's clothes. But by the time the match against Once Caldas - Gualberto Villarroel San José rolled around, the results started speaking for themselves. Winning the Copa Simón Bolívar and getting into the Sudamericana changed the vibe. People started believing again.
Tactical Breakdown: How They Line Up
When these two meet, the styles are total opposites. Once Caldas, under Hernán Darío Herrera, usually runs a 4-2-3-1 that shifts into a 4-3-3. They want the ball. They had 64% possession in their home game. James Aguirre is a wall in goal, and having Michael Barrios on the wing gives them that explosive pace.
GV San José is more of a 4-4-2 or 4-1-4-1 team. They are built for the counter. They know they can't outplay teams like Once Caldas in the midfield, so they wait for a mistake. Players like Joel Bejarano and the veteran Samuel Galindo are the glue in that midfield. They aren't flashy, but they are incredibly efficient at moving the ball quickly to Ferddy Roca or Fernando Arismendi.
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Why This Matchup Still Matters in 2026
We are now in 2026, and the ripples of those 2025 encounters are still felt. Once Caldas used that momentum to stabilize their finances and attract better talent like John Araujo and Luis Palacios. They proved they could still compete on the international stage after years of domestic struggle.
For GV San José, those matches were a "welcome to the big leagues" moment. They finished that Sudamericana campaign with only 4 points, but the experience was worth more than the standings. It gave their young squad, like 20-year-old Diego Saavedra and Jhoni Ramallo, a taste of what it takes to play against top-tier Colombian talent.
The Numbers That Define the Rivalry
- Historical Record: Once Caldas leads 2-0-0.
- Goal Difference: Once Caldas 5, GV San José 3.
- Average Possession: Once Caldas (61%) vs. GV San José (39%).
- Key Scorer: Dayro Moreno (Caldas) with critical involvements in both games.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following the trajectory of these two clubs, here is what you should keep an eye on.
First, watch the altitude factor. GV San José is practically unbeatable at home against teams that don't prepare for the Oruro oxygen levels. If they get back into international play, bet on them to cause an upset at the Estadio Jesús Bermúdez.
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Second, keep an eye on Once Caldas’ youth integration. They’ve started leaning more on their academy players to complement the older stars like Dayro Moreno. This mix of "old guard" and "new blood" is what made them so resilient against the Bolivians.
Lastly, don't sleep on the Bolivian market. GV San José has shown that a well-run project in Oruro can compete with the traditional powers in La Paz or Santa Cruz. They are scouting heavily in Argentina and Spain (like Felipe Alarcón) to bring a more tactical edge to the Bolivian league.
The Once Caldas - Gualberto Villarroel San José matchups proved that names on a jersey matter, but heart on the pitch matters more. Whether it's the 40-year-old Moreno scoring in the dying minutes or a young Bolivian side defending for their lives, these games are what make South American football the best in the world.
To track future fixtures or deep-dive into the current league standings for either team, check the official DIMAYOR site for Once Caldas or the FBF portal for GV San José updates. Monitoring the transfer window will also give you a clue if GV San José is looking to replace veterans with more high-altitude specialists for their next continental run.