Atletico Nacional tops Independiente Del Valle for Copa Libertadores title
Atletico Nacional is the champion of Copa Libertadores after defeating improbable finalist Independiente Del Valle 1-0 in the second leg of the final to win 2-1 on aggregate on home soil in Medellin, Colombia.
Miguel Borja's ninth-minute goal off the rebound capped an early period of pressure for the hosts, who held on for its second title and first since 1989. The two had drawn the first leg in Quito, Ecuador, last week, with Atletico Nacional's Orlando Berrio and Independiente's Arturo Mina scoring in either half. Atletico Nacional becomes the 13th team with multiple titles, but the first from Colombia.
Independiente's run included unseating defending champion River Plate, topping another Argentine power in Boca Juniors and surviving Mexico's Pumas UNAM in penalties in the semifinals. Its storybook run–it's only been in Ecuador's top flight for seven years–ended just shy of the trophy, though, as Atletico Nacional celebrates again.
Watch the decisive goal and title celebration below:
It all followed a set of remarkable scenes in the stands during the opening festivities:
Atletico Nacional clinches a place at the FIFA Club World Cup with the triumph, joining UEFA Champions League winner Real Madrid, CONCACAF Champions League winner Club America and Oceania Champions League winner Auckland City in the seven-team tournament in Japan this December.
