Junior from Barranquilla lived a bitter 98th birthday. With the Metropolitan to bursting, those led by john royal cross fell 1-2 in the last breath against Once Caldas. Total surprise.
The first part enjoyed the absolute possession of the host, but without effectiveness in front of the goal. The first hint came from Daniel Giraldo, who took a mid-distance bomb that went slightly wide.
Everything seemed to indicate that the junior goal would arrive at any moment, but Eleven struck first. At minute 26, a very long throw-in ended in a grab by Freddy Hinestroza against Ayron del Valle. Very clear maximum penalty that in the end the scorer specified.
With the gross error, Hinestroza tried to vindicate himself. About 28′, the winger took a surprising shot from the left wing that narrowly missed Eder Chaux. Monumental save from the goalkeeper.
Later, at 44′, he tried his luck again. This time he tried it with a good free kick execution, but Chaux again bolted on his porch.
For the second part, Juan Cruz Real decided to move his substitute bench. Carmelo Valencia, completely missing, left the pitch to make way for the idol Carlos Bacca. Diego Corredor responded with the entry of Guillermo Celis and Marlon Piedrahita for Diego Valdés and Juan David Rodríguez.
Bacca’s first came at 53′. Hinestroza put up a good cross from the left, the striker headed in unopposed and his shot went just wide. Two minutes later, Chaux made a serious mistake by not being able to capture a ball and left possession to Yesus Cabrera. The midfielder took a violent centered shot, but Jorge Luis Cardona got in the way across the goal line to save the visitor.
Minutes later, Junior had another very clear opportunity. Edwuin Cetré commanded a fast counterattack from the right and sent a dangerous pass back to Hinestroza, who could not finish with the goal from the front. Nervousness was beginning to take over the game.
It would not be until 66 minutes that the Metropolitan would explode with joy. Again Hinestroza raised a cross from the left, at the second post Cetré lowered it, Giraldo accommodated it and Fabián Sambueza’s volley sealed the partial tie.
All the local joy went to waste at 78′. Didier Moreno threw a very strong shot against Celis in three quarters of the court. The central judge did not hesitate and immediately showed the red card. Very clear infraction in which the VAR even had to act. After this, Danny Rosero had to request the change due to physical problems and in his place Jorge Arias entered.
And when it seemed that everything would end in a draw, the miracle came for Once Caldas. Marlon Piedrahíta executed a powerful free kick from almost 30 meters, the ball deflected off the only man in the barrier and knocked Sebastián Viera out of position. Total silence in the Metropolitan that saw how his team fell 1-2 on its 94th anniversary.
