The team from the department of Santander triumphed this Saturday by winning from 11 meters in a tie that ended 3-3.
The Leopardos – led by Venezuelan Rafael Dudamel – won the first title in their 75-year history thanks to two saves by Aldair Gutiérrez in the penalty shootout, at the El Campín stadium in Bogotá.
Former Fulham player Hugo Rodallega opened the scoring for the locals in the opening stages, but Atlético Bucaramanga came back with goals from Jhon Córdoba and Daniel Mosquerain a match marked by a heavy downpour.
In the last five minutes, when the series seemed defined in favor of the visitors, Santa Fe scored two goals (Julián Millán and Agustín Rodríguez) that gave hope to the home team.
“It is a huge joy (…) to give Bucaramanga the first joy in its history. I have had difficult moments and today I believe that God is rewarding me,” he declared. Gutiérrez, who left Atlético Nacional in 2022 after a streak of poor performances.
The brand new champion of the Colombian Apertura will compete in the group stage of the Copa Libertadores 2025.
The statistics of the clash, in Flashscore.
#Colombia
