Bucaramanga and Santander fulfilled the celebration of Colombian Professional Soccer. The Alfonso López stadium was a leopard party and it was no wonder: for the first time the Santander team played a final, since the short tournaments began at the FPC.
Those led by Dudamel took advantage of the support of their fans and searched from the opening whistle: 4 minutes into the game, Leonardo Flores warned the cardinal goal with a shot from outside the area that passed very close to the right post.
The minutes passed and Atlético Bucaramanga insisted on breaking the 0 on the scoreboard: shots by Fabián Sambueza, Jefferson Mena, Daniel Mosquera, but none of them generated great danger in the goal guarded by Marmolejo.
Santa Fe withstood the rival’s start in an orderly manner in its lines and at 13 minutes it gave the first warning in the local team’s goal: Francisco Chaverra finished from the middle of the field and almost surprised Aldair Quintana who had to retreat, masterfully, to avoid the goal and thus achieve one of the most important saves of the final.
Shot stopped high and through the center of the goal. Francisco Chaverra (Independiente Santa Fe) left footed shot from more than 30 yards from long range on the left. Assisted by Jhojan Torres.
Time was ticking and the offensive games of each team were established on the field of play, generating associations that found a good response in the goalkeepers Aldair Quintana and Andrés Marmolejo, who became great in the first 45 minutes.
At minute 42, Andrés Marmolejo dressed as a hero to avoid the first goal after being in a one-on-one situation inside the area.
The first half of the Colombian soccer final between Bucaramanga and Santa Fe ended goalless.
The ‘Leopard’ became strong at home
The second half came with the initiative and the best scoring opportunities for Atlético Bucaramanga. Without despairing and without giving up, in the second 45 minutes the locals continued to dominate on the Alfonso López court.
The clock was ticking and with it came the moment that changed everything: minute 69 and the first goal of the game arrived, Bucaramanga’s score to make it 1-0.
Freddy Hinestroza finished from the left side of the inside of the area to the right side of the goal and scored the first goal of the Colombian soccer final.
The celebration did not take long and the fans present in the stadium united in a single goal shout.
Now everything will have to be defined in the last 90 minutes of the grand final that will be on Saturday, June 15 at the El Campín stadium in Bogotá and can be enjoyed on the 8 frequencies of Radio Nacional de Colombia and its digital platforms.
