The Santander team won its first title. In the streets of the capital, the party that for decades was elusive is lived out. The victory came on penalties.
The 75-year wait is over: Atlético Bucaramanga is the new champion of Colombian professional soccer. The ‘Leopardo’ team defeated Independiente Santa Fe on penalties (6-5) and its fans celebrate the long-awaited first star
The streets of Bucaramanga are dyed yellow and green; Fans and family members hug each other and tears appear in an outburst of joy for the ‘Leopard’s’ triumph. After decades of ups and downs in which defeats were overcome, the suffering of relegation, the thousands of fans they live the idyll of the first division title.
To the sound of ‘La cumbia de los trapos’, fans dance and enjoy the moment they longed for most fervently. The names of Fabián Sambueza, Aldair Quintana, Fredy Hinestroza, the other 28 players and the technical team at the head of the team will be written on the club’s golden pages. Rafael Dudamel Ochoa.
Finally the rival fans’ jokes are over. Now, Atlético Bucaramanga joins the list of Colombian soccer champions and will play in the Copa Libertadores in 2025. The golden threads will now line the ‘Leopardo’ shirts and the dream star will appear above the shield. Football owed him.
In every second of celebration, the anxiety and frustration that disturbed its fans for years disappear. Not even the incessant rain in the country’s capital prevented Atlético Bucaramanga from conquering that moment of glory that will remain in the minds of children, adults and veterans. The star is finally painted yellow and green. The hands of Aldair Quintana allowed it.
End suffered, title deserved
With a Quintana immense under the three suits, Atlético Bucaramanga achieved victory through penalties, in a match full of emotions. The goalkeeper of the Santander team stopped two charges from the white point that allowed the title.
The match in Bogotá began with an adverse result for Bucaramanga. The team led by Rafael Dudamel was able to recover from Hugo Rodallega’s goal with tactical adjustments and the fighting spirit that characterized the squad during the tournament.
The partial tie came thanks to Jhon Emerson Córdoba, who masterfully scored against the far post and silenced almost the entire Nemesio Camacho El Campín stadium, except for the yellow patch of Bucaros fans who exploded with emotion.
At the start of the second half, Bucaramanga showed its courage and after a corner kick Daniel Mosquera scored 2-1 for the ‘auriverdes’. After an extensive VAR review, center back Carlos Betancur confirmed the goal that put Dudamel’s team ahead.
Once they gained the advantage, the Santander team made some changes to ensure the result, but suffered and could not maintain the difference. In the last minutes, Santa Fe threw all its resources into the attack and came back in the game (3-2) forcing penalties.
The star arrives after a historic campaign as he achieved first place in the round-robin, and later achieved classification in Group A, in which all teams finished with eight points. However, the Santander team made it to the final thanks to the invisible point obtained for being the best in the regular phase.
At last the star arrived for the ‘race that fights and dreams’.
