The match between Cucuta Deportivo and Once Caldas on 16 February 2023 in the Copa Colombia showcased a clear dominance by Cucuta Deportivo, reflected in their 3-1 victory. This win was significantly bolstered by their efficient use of goal opportunities and superior teamwork. Cucuta's early goal at 22:26 set the tone for the first half, which helped them establish an early lead that they extended to 2-0 by 30:27. Their coordination in attack was evident as they capitalised on scoring chances with precision, whereas Once Caldas only managed to respond once before halftime at 37:30.

Cucuta Deportivo's performance was underscored by their ability to convert limited offensive set-pieces into goals. Despite having only two corner kicks compared to Once Caldas's three, Cucuta maintained efficiency in their shot accuracy. Furthermore, their three goals from four shots on target highlight an impactful conversion rate, contrasting sharply with Once Caldas, who took more shots but didn't translate them into goals as effectively.

The defensive strategy employed by Cucuta Deportivo was pivotal, albeit aggressive, given their five yellow cards compared to Once Caldas's one. This aggressive play, particularly in the first half, likely disrupted Once Caldas’s rhythm and curtailed their attacking attempts. However, this also posed a risk as sustained high-aggression could have led to a red card. The physical nature of Cucuta's defense possibly contributed to Once Caldas's reduced effectiveness in capitalising on offensive opportunities despite matching offsides statistics (2 each) and corner kicks (3 for Once Caldas).

In the second half, Cucuta Deportivo consolidated their lead with a third goal at 65:17, which firmly placed them ahead. This goal not only demonstrated their continued offensive pressure but also their ability to remain clinically effective in the latter stages of the match. Substitutions and fouls impacted the flow, but Cucuta's maintained their tactical discipline, ensuring they controlled the game tempo.

Ultimately, the significant factors that steered the match in favour of Cucuta Deportivo included their superior goal conversion rate, assertive defensive play, and coherent teamwork. They managed to translate fewer attacking opportunities into a more substantial advantage and effectively shut down Once Caldas's attempts to come back into the game, forming the cornerstone of their victory.

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