Atlético Nacional, led by Brazilian Paulo Autuori, crowned Colombian Super League champions on Thursday by beating Deportivo Pereira 4-3 in a thrilling second leg, which despite their good performance at the Atanasio Girardot stadium lost 5-3 in the world result. .
Matecaña’s side, who came to this game with urgency after losing 0-1 in the first leg, quickly managed to put the series in their favor with a bold approach from coach Alejandro Restrepo and goals from the winger Juan Pablo Zuluaga after 6 and 33 minutes, which forced the purslane to turn the tide with the entry of Ángel before the end of the first leg.
After this surprising 0-2 against, well worked by the visitor with his pressure and taking advantage of defensive errors, the Medellín team recovered in the second leg using the hierarchy of players such as Pabón and international Cristian Zapata , that after returning this year to Colombian football, after 17 years abroad, he lifted his first cup with Nacional.
The boldness of youngster Ángel, whom Autuori played for, opened the door to a comeback for Verde, who were confirmed as Colombia’s winningest side reaching 32 titles after winning their third Super League.
The son of ex-soccer player Juan Pablo Ángel had a great evening getting a reduction at 60 minutes, taking advantage of a good cross from Brazilian winger Jader Gentil, which came on in the second half.
But before the double was finalized, Pereira rushed past Arley Rodríguez to grab a rebound and make the game 3-1 at minute 63.
Ángel’s work continued six minutes later, to level the series 3-3, with good individual action and a powerful left-footed shot to beat goalkeeper Aldair Quintana again, who from then on started living a nightmare that ended with the downfall of his team.
He fouled Jhon Duque which, after the VAR review, was sanctioned as a penalty for Pabón to assume all the importance as he not only converted the charge at minute 84 to take Nacional away from the title .
Three minutes later, Pabón, taking advantage of the excitement of his team and the fans, in addition to the low morale of the rival, took ownership of the situation and ratified the conquest of Nacional with the fourth goal at minute 87 to leave history 5-3 overall. in a nice reaction from the Autuori team, which won its first title in Colombia during its second cycle with the Medellín team.