Millonarios secured a crucial victory against Junior de Barranquilla in a 3-2 thriller, solidifying their position in the group of teams on the brink of qualifying for home runs. Alberto Gamero’s side had a comfortable three-goal lead, but a late scare forced them to call for time towards the end of the match.
The defining moment of the game came in the first half when Millonarios capitalized on Junior’s defensive lapse, with Leo Castro scoring a crucial header. Controversy arose when the referee, Jorge Duarte, ignored his assistant’s indication of a foul, much to the dismay of the Junior players.
“The entire squad is here for the reason that we all saw on the field. If we want our football to improve, many things have to improve. A judge who has assistants who tell him that there is a foul and he, out of arrogance, does not want to sanction it ends up harming Junior in the game,” expressed Didier Moreno on behalf of his teammates.
Despite Carlos Bacca and Marco Pérez’s goals for Junior, the comeback fell short as Millonarios managed to maintain their lead and secure the win. Coach Alberto Gamero praised his team’s control over the match and emphasized their deserving victory.
In another fixture, Atlético Nacional suffered a disappointing defeat against Deportivo Pereira, leading to their elimination from the qualifying race for home runs. Coach Pablo Repetto took responsibility for the loss, highlighting the team’s lack of attitude in a crucial match.
Looking ahead, both teams will have to regroup for the upcoming challenges in the league and cup competitions. The focus now shifts to the next round of matches, with La Equidad facing off against Santa Fe, Patriots taking on Medellín, and América de Cali clashing with Deportivo Pasto on Thursday. The action continues on Friday as Atlético Bucaramanga hosts Boyacá Chicó in the final match of the day.