Bolivar FC clinched the 2024 Torneo Clausura championship with a resounding 4-1 victory over Oriente Petrolero on October 18, held at the Estadio Ramón Tahuichi Aguilera, Santa Cruz de la Sierra. This win not only secured their title but also highlighted the outstanding performance of Brazilian striker Fábio Gomes, who netted three goals during the match.
The match kicked off with Bolivar displaying remarkable aggression, and Gomes struck early, finding the back of the net just nine minutes after the whistle. His opening goal set the tone for the match and put Orient Petrolero on the back foot from the start.
Despite conceding an equalizer at the onset of the second half, Bolivar quickly regained momentum. Gomes responded swiftly, scoring again after ten minutes to restore the lead. Just five minutes later, he completed his hat-trick, displaying exceptional skill and precision on the pitch.
The final goal of the match came from Jhon Velásquez, sealing Bolivar's emphatic victory. With this win, Bolivar raised their total points to 64, mathematically ensuring their championship victory as their closest rival, The Strongest, was left languishing four points behind.
Gomes' hat-trick underscored his pivotal role during the latter part of the season. Since joining Bolivar on loan from Atlético and arriving from Sydney FC back in July, Gomes has made significant contributions to the team's success. Throughout the Clausura, he played 19 matches, scoring 11 goals and delivering two assists. Notably, he has been even more prolific recently, netting eight goals and assisting twice over the last six games.
His performance has not gone unnoticed, especially following challenges at Atlético, where he managed only three goals over 16 appearances prior to his loan switch. This resurgence has sparked interest both from fans and commentators who now firmly place him among the top attackers in the league.
Looking forward, Bolivar's next challenge will be against San Antonio de Bulo Bulo, the Apertura champions, as they prepare to compete for the title of overall Bolivian champions this Sunday. The anticipation surrounding this matchup is palpable, especially with both teams likely to rest some key players for the final game of the league, which serves as the culmination of the season’s efforts.
It's worth noting the remarkable performances across the league's penultimate round, where several teams showcased their scoring prowess—The Strongest obliterated San Antonio de Bulo Bulo with an 8-0 victory, and Always Ready triumphed over Independiente Petrolero, 7-3. Such results, including Bolivar’s own, demonstrate the competitive nature of the Liga Profesional de Fútbol Boliviano, making every match significant as teams vie for glory.
With Fábio Gomes shining brightly and Bolivar displaying their championship mettle, the upcoming showdown against San Antonio de Bulo Bulo is sure to delight fans and add another exciting chapter to Bolivian football history. Will Gomes continue his stunning form? Only time will tell, but anticipation is building as Bolivar stands on the brink of celebrating not just one, but possibly two significant championship honors this season.
