Ortiz Seals Dramatic Victory for Medellín in Stoppage Time
Key Takeaways
- Independiente Medellín secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over Atlético Junior
- José Ortiz scored the decisive winner in first-half stoppage time
- Bryan Castrillón's early second-half strike gave Junior brief hope
- Medellín dominated with seven shots on target to Junior's two
José Ortiz prodded home from close range in the tenth minute of first-half stoppage time, completing a dramatic turnaround that secured Independiente Medellín a pulsating 2-1 victory over Atlético Junior at the Atanasio Girardot. The defender's crucial intervention capped a frantic end to the opening period and ultimately proved decisive in a match that showcased the unpredictable nature of Colombian football.
Brayan León had given the hosts an early advantage in the 29th minute, rifling a right-footed effort from outside the box into the bottom right corner after Francisco Fydriszewski's clever assist. The goal energized the Medellín faithful and set the tone for what would become a captivating encounter. Junior responded with renewed vigor after the break, and their persistence paid off just four minutes into the second half when Bryan Castrillón curled a sublime right-footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom right corner, with Guillermo Paiva providing the assist that leveled the contest.
The tactical battle centered around Medellín's ability to create chances through set pieces and Junior's attempts to exploit pace on the counter-attack. Jaime Alvarado anchored Medellín's midfield effectively, though his aggressive approach earned him a yellow card in the 74th minute. Mauro Silveira proved Junior's standout performer, making several crucial saves including a spectacular stop to deny Léider Berrío from close range in the 51st minute.
Medellín's statistical dominance told the story of their control, registering 15 total shots compared to Junior's seven, with the hosts managing seven efforts on target. The home side also forced six corners to Junior's one, demonstrating their sustained pressure throughout the match. Despite Junior's brief equalizer, they struggled to maintain possession and create clear-cut opportunities against a well-organized Medellín defense.
The turning point arrived in those chaotic final moments of the first half, when Medellín's relentless pressure from corners finally broke Junior's resistance. After Silveira had made a fine save to deny Kevin Mantilla's header, Ortiz was perfectly positioned to sweep home the rebound and restore his team's advantage heading into the break.
DIM ends the season and Junior now meets Tolima in the Clausura Championship.