In a match that had fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle, Atlético Nacional managed to snatch a dramatic 1-1 draw against Boyacá Chicó at the Estadio La Independencia in Tunja, thanks to a hotly debated penalty in stoppage time. The clash, played on Sunday, October 5, 2025, closed out the 14th round of the Liga BetPlay 2025-II with tension, controversy, and plenty of storylines for both sides.
The setting was as challenging as ever for visiting teams. La Independencia, perched 2,800 meters above sea level and capable of holding 20,000 spectators, is notorious for testing the stamina of even the fittest squads. On this chilly Sunday night, both teams arrived with urgent but contrasting needs: Atlético Nacional, riding high after two consecutive victories, was eager to solidify their position in the top five; Boyacá Chicó, meanwhile, was desperate to halt a worrying slide that had left them second-to-last in the table and staring down the barrel of relegation.
From the opening whistle, the game reflected the teams’ current realities. The visitors, led by coach Diego Arias, brought confidence and momentum, having recently dispatched Unión Magdalena and Millonarios. Their lineup boasted both experience and youth, with stalwarts like David Ospina, Edwin Cardona, Matheus Uribe, and Alfredo Morelos joined by promising talents such as Kilian Toscano and Juan Manuel Rengifo. The squad’s recent upturn in form was evident, especially in the midfield where Jorman Campuzano and Uribe controlled the tempo and Morelos continued his revival in front of goal.
Boyacá Chicó, under the guidance of Mario García, entered the match with their backs against the wall. With only 11 points from 13 games and rooted to the bottom of the relegation table, the pressure was palpable. The team had not tasted victory since mid-August, enduring a four-game winless streak that included three defeats. Yet, playing at home and with the altitude on their side, the ajedrezado (checkered) squad hoped to spring a surprise by frustrating Nacional and capitalizing on quick transitions.
The first half unfolded with both teams probing cautiously, aware that the stakes were sky-high. Chicó, determined to make the most of their fortress, relied on the defensive leadership of Luis Payares and the midfield grit of Henry Plazas to keep Nacional’s attack at bay. For the visitors, patience and ball movement were the order of the day, with Arias urging his men to avoid being drawn into a frantic, end-to-end battle that could sap their energy in the thin mountain air.
As the second half wore on, the tension ratcheted up. The home side, buoyed by their supporters and the urgency of their predicament, struck first. A swift counterattack caught Nacional’s defense off guard, and the resulting finish sent the Tunja faithful into raptures. Suddenly, the prospect of a much-needed three points—and a potential lifeline in the relegation scrap—seemed tantalizingly close for Boyacá Chicó.
But if history had taught Chicó anything, it was that Atlético Nacional rarely goes quietly. In their last ten meetings, Nacional had come out on top seven times, drawing twice and losing only once. The visitors pressed forward relentlessly in the closing stages, throwing numbers into the box and testing the resolve of Chicó’s defense at every opportunity.
Then came the moment that would ignite debate across Colombia. Deep into stoppage time, a scramble in the penalty area led to a contentious decision by referee Jairo Mayorga, who pointed to the spot after consulting with VAR official Nicolás Gallo. The call was met with howls of protest from the home fans and incredulity from the Chicó bench. Still, the decision stood, and with nerves of steel, Nacional converted the penalty to level the score at 1-1.
The final whistle brought a mix of relief and frustration. For Atlético Nacional, salvaging a point on the road—especially under such dramatic circumstances—was a testament to their resilience and growing confidence under Diego Arias. The draw kept them firmly in fifth place with 24 points from 14 matches, maintaining their push for a spot in the all-important cuadrangulares (playoff round). Arias has been credited with instilling new belief in his squad, and the performances of veterans like Ospina, Cardona, and Morelos have given the Medellín outfit a formidable spine as the season enters its decisive phase.
“We never give up, no matter the situation,” said Arias after the match, according to Win Sports. “This team has character, and tonight we showed it again. Every point counts at this stage, and we’ll keep fighting for our objectives.”
For Boyacá Chicó, the sting of conceding so late—and in such controversial fashion—was hard to hide. The result leaves them with just 12 points from 14 games and still mired at the bottom of the relegation standings. Coach Mario García lamented the outcome but praised his players’ effort: “It’s tough to accept, but that’s football. We gave everything, and I’m proud of the fight the boys showed. We have to keep working and believe that things will turn for us.”
The match also put the spotlight on the use of VAR, with many fans and pundits debating whether the late penalty was justified. In a league where every point is fiercely contested, such decisions inevitably stir controversy, and this one was no exception. Referee Mayorga and his assistants—Iván Ballesta and Juan Holguín—were at the center of the storm, but ultimately followed protocol in reviewing and awarding the penalty.
Broadcast exclusively on Win Sports+ and Win Sports Online, the game drew a nationwide audience, with supporters tuning in to see if Nacional could extend their winning run or if Chicó could engineer an upset. The outcome, while not a victory for either side, ensured that both teams remain deeply invested in their respective battles—Nacional for playoff seeding and Chicó for survival.
Looking ahead, Atlético Nacional will take heart from their late escape and focus on building momentum as the regular season winds down. For Boyacá Chicó, the challenge is clear: regroup, find consistency, and fight tooth and nail to avoid the drop. With only a handful of matches remaining, every fixture is a final, and every point could make the difference between heartbreak and salvation.
As the dust settles in Tunja, one thing is certain: the drama of Liga BetPlay 2025-II is far from over, and both Nacional and Chicó have everything to play for in the weeks ahead.
