Atlético Nacional celebrated its triumph over Deportes Tolima, securing the Liga BetPlay 2024-II Championship with a decisive 2-0 victory, marking the team’s 18th title triumph. The match took place on December 22, 2024, at the Estadio Atanasio Girardot in Medellín, where the green and white legions gathered to witness their team win another star.
With goals from Alfredo Morelos and Andrés Felipe Román during the first half, Atlético Nacional took control of the match early. Both players showcased their exceptional skills, providing the pivotal strikes needed to silence the opposition, which aimed to redeem itself after previous disappointments.
The match was not without drama. Just after the hour mark, at the 62nd minute, Deportes Tolima had the chance to turn the tide when they were awarded a penalty kick after Juan Felipe Aguirre was deemed to have handled the ball inside the area following a shot from Brayan Gil. Yeison Guzmán, famed for being Tolima’s star player, stepped up to take the penalty. Rather than opting for power, he attempted a Panenka shot, attempting to fool David Ospina, Nacional’s seasoned goalkeeper. But Ospina was not deceived, making the save and extinguishing any hopes of a Tolima comeback.
“Guzmán quiso hacer una épica y picarle el balón a lo Panenka a Ospina, pero no contó con que el experimentado arquero aguantara para atajarle el cobro al '10' del pijao,” stated futbolred.com, reflecting on the missed opportunity.
Ospina’s heroics were clear as he secured the penalty save, which turned out to be a defining moment of the match. The atmosphere shifted dramatically, with the initial excitement of the Tolima fans extinguished by the disappointment of seeing their chance slip away. Instead, joy radiated from the Nacional fans, who saw their team edging ever closer to the coveted title.
Following the match, social media lit up with reactions, particularly directed at Guzmán for his choice of penalty style. Many took to platforms to criticize the execution, with some accusing him of not wanting to score against the team he reportedly supports. His performance throughout the match netted him an overall assessment of 6.9 according to Sofascore, where he completed 65 of his 76 passes successfully but lost possession 16 times.
Reflecting on the match dynamics, Tolima’s coach, David González, opted for a defensive strategy featuring three central defenders, which proved ineffective as Nacional capitalized on the speed of Román and Marino Hinestroza, effectively breaking through the defense. The absence of significant possession for Tolima only highlighted the effectiveness of Nacional’s attack, which struck when it mattered most.
This victory is especially sweet for Atlético Nacional not only for the trophy but also as it allows the club to return to the Conmebol Libertadores group stage for the first time since 2023. The win alleviates some of the pressure the club faced due to earlier struggles throughout the year.
The celebration following Nacional's win is expected to be fervent, as their fans rejoice with chants and songs reverberate through the streets of Medellín. Social media platforms flooded with memes and highlights, showcasing key moments from the match, including the much-discussed penalty save.
Reflections on the season highlight the unpredictability of the tournament, with Deportes Tolima's run to the finals notable for their upset victories over more favored teams like América de Cali and Junior de Barranquilla. Despite not being the favorites, they demonstrated resilience but fell short against Nacional's determination and tactical superiority.
Now, as the dust settles on the championship match, the focus shifts to the future for both teams. For Atlético Nacional, the victory solidifies their standing as one of Colombia's foremost football clubs, hungry for more titles and success in the international arena. Conversely, Deportes Tolima will look to regroup and rebuild, hopefully turning their learnings from this final scenario to aid their future campaigns.
The year culminates dramatically for Nacional, ostensibly ending on high spirits after overcoming obstacles and returning to the top of Colombian football. The fans are left buzzing with excitement, anticipating what they hope will be another thrilling season to come.
