The Valledupar Post
Match12 Aug 2026
Hugo Barrios sends Valledupar through
Cup ties wait for somebody to seize them, and Hugo Barrios obliged against Atletico Nacional. 2‑1 on the night, and the name in the next round’s hat is Valledupar.
Player ratings17 Aug 2026
Wilmar Castillo could not have asked for more on his first appearance — 7.56
Debuts are survived rather than enjoyed. This one was enjoyed: 7.56, 1 goals, and a manager already being asked whether he starts again next week.
Match12 Aug 2026
Valledupar strike at the death to beat Atletico Nacional
There were 85 minutes on the clock and Atletico Nacional had all but banked the point. Football rarely reads the room, and Valledupar did not stop to explain themselves.
Player ratings17 Aug 2026
No sign of nerves from Hugo Barrios at 21 — 8.06
The hardest thing about being 21 in a senior side is that nobody makes allowances. Hugo Barrios did not need any: 8.06, and he looked the most comfortable man on the pitch.
Squad17 Aug 2026
Manuel Falcao in a row with a teammate
It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Valledupar this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.
The terraces17 Aug 2026
Valledupar supporters have found a favourite in Wilmar Castillo
There is a particular warmth a ground reserves for a 19-year-old it feels ownership of. Wilmar Castillo has it now, and everything he does for the rest of his time here will be measured against the goodwill he was handed for free.
Squad17 Aug 2026
Words at Valledupar training over how hard people work
Somebody said out loud what several people had been thinking. Wilmar Castillo is at the centre of it, and the squad will now find out whether the standard rises or the pair of them simply stop speaking.
Squad17 Aug 2026
Wilmar Gonzalez signs a new deal
“I never wanted to be anywhere else. There is unfinished business here.” Wilmar Gonzalez commits to Valledupar for another 3 years.
Squad17 Aug 2026
The manager makes an example of Brian Duque
“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.
In brief
- Player ratings Luis Diaz runs at them all day
- Boardroom Valledupar were not finished after all
- The terraces The press cannot get enough of Hugo Barrios