Atletico Nacional of Colombia has won their second ever Copa Libertadores, having won at home in Medellin against Independiente del Valle of Ecuador off a goal from Miguel Borja to bring the trophy back to Colombia for the first time since 2004.
Controlled first half
Just 20 seconds into the match, Miguel Borja had the game's first opportunity but skied his shot into row Z over Librando Azcona's goal. Four minutes later, Daniel Bocanegra had a chance on goal from about 25 yards out, but his shot went wide to the left of Azcona’s goal. The home team continued to attack all half.
Finally in the ninth minute, off a free kick, defender Arturo Mina was unable to clear the ball after Azcona had made a good save. Off the deflection, Miguel Borja got his fifth goal in four games as his shot went past the goalkeeper to send Estadio Atanasio Girardot into raptures. With that goal, Borja has now scored five goals off just seven shots on target.
Macnelly Torres tried to double the lead for the Paisa side, but his long distance shot on the right went wide of Azcona’s goal in the 18th minute. Atletico Nacional just continued to attack and attack as Torres again went looking unsuccessfully for a goal in the 30th minute. Three minutes later, Borja was free past his marker and looked for a brace. However, as he was about to shoot, Arturo Mina made a sensational tackle and blocked the ball out of play.
Finally, Independiente del Valle had a chance as the ball was played to Jose Angulo. He looked to score, but his volley went wide of Franco Armani’s goal. Overall, it was a half that the Colombian side completely controlled.
Medellin won't sleep tonight after sensational win
In the second half, Independiente del Valle had a chance to get an equalizer off Jonny Uchuari, the substitute, but his shot was saved by Armani. Independiente appealed for a penalty but got nothing from referee Nestor Pitana. In the 52nd minute, Orlando Berrio was played a ball from Marlos Moreno on the left but sent his shot wide.
Angulo again had another chance just six minutes later but was unable to get his shot properly on target, making it easy for Armani to make a good save. Borja, trying so desperately to score his brace, had another chance in the 61st minute. He was able to control and turn the ball properly, but his shot went wide of Azcona’s goal to the left. Though unable to find a second goal, the Medellin club was bossing the match.
Another big chance came for Atletico Nacional in the 70th minute. Off a cross, with Azcona off his line, Moreno went in for a header but his shot went wide of the near post. The striker with the most chances of anyone in the match had another chance five minutes later that was again saved by Azcona on the left.
Nevertheless, Independiente del Valle was unable to get a goal to salvage a draw and Medellin began partying as Atletico Nacional ended the match as champions of the Copa Libertadores for the first time since 1989. It is the first time that the Copa Libertadores is back in Colombia since Once Caldas in 2004. Independiente del Valle will be heartbroken not to have lifted the trophy, but they had a sensational campaign that surprised the world and made the continent happy with their humble campaign.
Now, Atletico Nacional will represent CONMEBOL in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in Japan in December as they look to try to achieve a much bigger dream by taking on UEFA’s representative Real Madrid in the final.