Nacional 3-1 Tolima: Liga Betplay Dimayor 2024-II Finals and Season Roundup

The Liga Betplay Dimayor 2024-II has come to an end, with Atlético Nacional crowned as champions after defeating Tolima 2-0 in Medellín, securing a 3-1 aggregate victory.

Efraín Juárez’s debut as head coach was a resounding success, as the Mexican claimed the Copa Colombia title just days ago and capped it off with the Torneo Finalización championship this Sunday.

First-half goals from Alfredo Morelos and Andrés Román delivered the 18th star for the Verdolaga, marking the 35th title in their history and solidifying their reputation as Colombia’s greatest club. Nacional finished sixth in the regular season with 32 points and narrowly edged out Millonarios in Group A of the Quadrangular by just one point to reach the final.

Tolima settled for their ninth runner-up finish. Ironically, Yeison Guzmán, arguably the best player of the tournament, became his team’s undoing by missing a Panenka-style penalty in the final.

In terms of standout performances, Daniel Moreno of Deportivo Pasto was a revelation, finishing as the top scorer with an impressive 17 goals. Dayro Moreno followed with 10 goals, and Guzmán rounded out the top three with eight.

For assists, Edwin Cardona led the league with seven, proving to be a key piece in Nacional’s championship. Guzmán once again appeared in the rankings, placing second with five assists.

Looking ahead to international competitions in 2025, Atlético Bucaramanga and Atlético Nacional, as champions of the two halves of the season, earned direct qualification to the Copa Libertadores group stage. Deportes Tolima and Independiente Santa Fe will enter the second preliminary round, based on their standings in the aggregate table. Tolima will face Melgar (Peru), while Santa Fe will take on Deportes Iquique (Chile).

In the Copa Sudamericana, four Colombian teams—Millonarios, Once Caldas, Junior, and América—qualified based on their overall standings. They will face each other in the first phase before advancing to the group stage. It will be a single-match format, with Millonarios visiting Once Caldas in Manizales, and Junior hosting América in Barranquilla. Just two of them will go to the group phase.

Regarding relegation, Jaguares will join Patriotas in Primera B next year. In a highly controversial outcome, Unión Magdalena won the Segunda División title and will be promoted alongside Llaneros.

Liga Betplay Dimayor-II Final: Nacional 2-0 Tolima

Atlético Nacional proved once again why they are the best team in the country, showcasing their dominance over the past 20 years by securing yet another title this Sunday. They defeated Deportes Tolima 2-0, clinching the Primera A title with a 3-1 aggregate score.

The Antioquian team, fresh off their Copa Colombia victory just a week ago—where they beat América by the same aggregate score—had drawn 1-1 in Ibagué and left the decisive match for their home ground, an Atanasio Girardot stadium that was full.

Fueled by the energy of their fans, the Verdolagas quickly took the lead just six minutes in, with a powerful, cross-body strike from Alfredo Morelos. The forward had been involved in a heated altercation with Tolima’s coach, David González, during the first leg, and he responded this way.

Around the 30-minute mark, Andrés Román—widely regarded as the best full-back and one of the standout players of the tournament—doubled the lead. After assisting Morelos in the first goal, Román scored with a cross-body shot from the right, providing his team with a comfortable cushion.

Nacional dominated the first part, but the second half saw a complete shift as Tolima controlled possession and created several opportunities. The Pijaos relentlessly pressed forward and came close to narrowing the gap when the referee, assisted by VAR, awarded a penalty for a handball in the box around the hour mark.

Former Nacional player Yeison Guzmán, one of the tournament’s top performers, stepped up to take the penalty. However, his attempt to execute a Panenka-style chip backfired. David Ospina, who had initially dived to one side, recovered in time to save the weak shot down the center.

Despite the setback, Tolima kept pushing and came close to scoring on a couple more occasions. However, poor finishing from their forwards and outstanding saves from Ospina kept them at bay.

In the end, the score remained unchanged, and Atlético Nacional added a festive touch to their season by securing their 18th star, delighting the team and their fans. It will be a very special Christmas for the Verdolagas.