Junior Stuns Nacional with Dramatic Stoppage-Time Winner
Key Takeaways
- Junior secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over Nacional in Barranquilla
- Steven Rodríguez netted the decisive goal in the 91st minute following VAR
- Joel Canchimbo's equalizer came from a perfectly executed counter-attack in the 66th
- Nacional dominated early but couldn't maintain their lead after Asprilla's header
Steven Rodríguez prodded home from point-blank range in the 91st minute to complete a dramatic comeback as Atlético Junior secured a 2-1 victory over Atlético Nacional at the Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez. The substitute striker's close-range finish, awarded after a lengthy VAR review, sent the Barranquilla faithful into raptures and capped a thrilling encounter between two Colombian giants.
Nacional had taken the lead through Dairon Asprilla's perfectly placed header in the 42nd minute, with Juan Manuel Rengifo delivering a pinpoint cross from the right flank following a corner kick routine. The visitors' aerial prowess troubled Junior's defense throughout the first half, as Asprilla rose unmarked to guide his effort into the bottom left corner past Mauro Silveira. Junior's response came in the 66th minute when Joel Canchimbo rifled home from the center of the box, converting José Enamorado's cross after a lightning-fast counter-attack that caught Nacional's defense completely off guard.
The tactical battle centered around Nacional's early dominance in midfield, where Jorman Campuzano and Simón García controlled the tempo before the latter's injury forced a reshuffle. Junior's breakthrough came when they bypassed Nacional's midfield press with direct play, exploiting the pace of Enamorado down the flanks. Guillermo Paiva and Yimmi Chará constantly stretched Nacional's defensive line, creating the space that ultimately proved decisive.
Despite Nacional enjoying 44.3% possession, they managed eight shots compared to Junior's four, with David Ospina making several crucial saves to keep his side in contention. The visitors registered 19 total attempts to Junior's 16, but the home side's clinical finishing in the final third made the difference. Nacional's six corners to Junior's four highlighted their aerial threat, though they couldn't capitalize on their set-piece superiority when it mattered most.
The turning point arrived in the 73rd minute when Nacional coach made wholesale changes, introducing Edwin Cardona, Marlos Moreno, and Andrés Salazar simultaneously. While the substitutions injected fresh energy, they disrupted Nacional's rhythm and allowed Junior to seize control of the final exchanges, culminating in the corner that led to Rodríguez's winner.
Junior will look to build on this momentum when they face America, while Nacional must regroup quickly for their upcoming fixture against Deportivo Independiente Medellin.