Salmantino continued their positive pre-season preparations with a convincing 3-1 victory over UD Santa Marta in an international club friendly on 20 August 2026. The match gave both coaching staffs the opportunity to test their squads against fresh opposition, and it was the home side who made the stronger impression, combining sharpness in front of goal with solid organisation at the back.

Friendly Offers Encouraging Signs

From the opening exchanges, Salmantino looked sharper and more cohesive. The home team pressed high and disrupted UD Santa Marta’s attempts to build from the back. Salmantino’s opener came midway through the first half when a neat passing sequence unlocked the visiting defence and was finished calmly across the goalkeeper. Before the break, a second goal arrived from a direct free kick, giving the hosts a comfortable two-goal cushion.

UD Santa Marta emerged for the second half with renewed energy and pulled one back with a header from a well-delivered corner. That goal sparked a lively period of pressure from the visitors, but Salmantino held firm and then sealed the result with a third goal late in the match, finishing a swift counterattack that started deep in their own half.

Positives for Both Sides

• Salmantino’s attacking rhythm: The home side created chances in every phase of the match and showed efficiency in front of goal.
• Set-piece work: Both teams scored from set pieces, indicating a focused area of training for the upcoming season.
• Minutes for the squad: The friendly allowed both managers to rotate their line-ups and give valuable game time to several players.

Looking Ahead

For Salmantino, the 3-1 win is a useful confidence boost as they continue their pre-season schedule. UD Santa Marta, meanwhile, will take positives from their second-half performance and the goal they scored under pressure. International club friendlies at this stage of the year are about fitness, teamwork, and sharpening tactical ideas, and this match provided plenty of that for both clubs.