Independiente del Valle Advances to Copa Sudamericana Semifinals After Beating Once Caldas

Independiente del Valle secured their spot in the 2025 Copa Sudamericana semifinals this Wednesday, where they will face Atlético Mineiro, after winning a penalty shootout 5-4 against Once Caldas, following a decisive 2-0 victory in regulation time.

The lethal combination of Júnior Sornoza as playmaker and Michael Hoyos with his precise headers proved key in breaking Once Caldas’ defense in the 27th and 51st minutes of the second leg of the Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals.

Michael Hoyos’ two goals

The 2-0 win at Palogrande Stadium in Manizales served as revenge for the Ecuadorian team, after Once Caldas had secured the same score on September 17 at IDV Stadium in Quito.

Meanwhile, Atlético Mineiro, Independiente del Valle’s next opponent in the semifinals, defeated Bolívar 1-0 in Belo Horizonte, after a 2-2 draw in La Paz a week earlier, securing their place in the next stage of the South American tournament.