Atlético Nacional was crowned champion of the Colombian Apertura 2022 tournament this Sunday by beating Deportes Tolima 4-3 on aggregate in the final.
The purslane team, which had Argentine defender Emanuel Olivera as its starter, fell 2-1 in Tolima’s vibrant home second leg, but obtained the title thanks to the 3-1 in favor that he had obtained on Wednesday in the first leg.
AMDEP1949. IBAGUÉ (COLOMBIA), 06/26/2022.- Players of Atlético Nacional celebrate with the Colombian First Division champion trophy after beating Deportes Tolima today, at the Manuel Murillo Toro stadium in Ibagué (Colombia). EFE/Mauricio Duenas Castañeda
Tolima opened the scoring thanks to a goal against Olivera (18) and put Nacional on the ropes by scoring the second with a powerful header by Juan Caicedo (36).
But the two-time Libertadores champion reacted in stoppage time with a header from Jarlan Barrera that silenced the Manuel Murillo Toro stadium in Ibagué (90+1) and sealed the title for Atlético Nacional.
The local suffered a severe blow at minute 56, when the midfielder Daniel Catano he missed a penalty that would have put the series in his favor and was expelled for a foul on goalkeeper Kevin Mier in the rebound dispute.
AMDEP1949. IBAGUÉ (COLOMBIA), 06/26/2022.- Players of Atlético Nacional celebrate with the Colombian First Division champion trophy after beating Deportes Tolima today, at the Manuel Murillo Toro stadium in Ibagué (Colombia). EFE/Mauricio Duenas Castañeda
It is the 17th title of Atlético Nacional, which the place was also secured in the next edition of the Copa Libertadores de América.
