Unión Magdalena is 90 minutes away from sealing a return to the first division of Colombian professional soccer.With a penalty goal from Jannenson Sarmiento, the Santa Marta club beat Llaneros 1-0 in the first match of the BetPlay Tournament final. The second match will be played on Saturday, December 14 at the Bello Horizonte Stadium in Villavicencio.
A full stadium, gunpowder and a lot of enthusiasm, this was the site that blessed the first stage of the final. The local team, infected by their fans, went out to attack from the first minute. The first arrival was seen in the 15′: Agostino Spina took advantage of a rebound on the edge of the Llaneros area and took a low shot that went just wide.
Four minutes later, the play that changed the outcome of the game occurred. Ruyeri Blanco controlled inside the area, turned to end and, at that moment, received contact from Agustín Verdugo. Carlos Betancur did not hesitate and ordered the penalty in favor of the local club. Jannenson Sarmiento scored with his left foot to make the score 1-0.
Despite the advantage, Unión continued to attack the spaces left by the defense of Llaneros who showed, while trying to give the team an offensive dimension, himself in front often. Indeed, in the 32nd minute, Ruyeri Blanco was close to scoring the second, but his shot hit the post. The score remained 1-0 at half time.
Union suffers, but has the advantage
As a result of the wear and tear suffered in the first half, the ones led by Jorge Luis Pinto gave up the ball for the second half. Furthermore,in transitions,both defensively and offensively,they looked imprecise and were cornered by the visiting team. In the 60th minute, Llaneros had one of the clearest chances to level the game: Hand in hand with Geovan Montes who claimed Johan Wallens, who avoided scoring, just enough.
Llaneros continued his offensive proposal, but lacked depth. Despite having control of the ball, he was unable to create a scoring chance again. On the other hand, unión Magdalena, with little playing time, was able to increase the advantage with an isolated shot by ruyeri Blanco in the six-yard box, which happened in the 80th minute.
The second stage of the BetPlay Tournament will be played on Saturday, December 14 from 7:30pm at the Bello Horizonte Stadium in Villavicencio. in this meeting, the two promotions to the League for the next year could even be defined.
This is how BetPlay Tournament promotions are defined
The champion of the final will automatically secure his place in the first division for 2025.Unión Magdalena is in the crown and Llaneros regain the upper hand in the relegation table – they would have to win at the Bello Horizonte Stadium.Currently, the Santa Marta club surpasses the Villavicencio club by one point.
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If the Tournament champion is in turn the leader of the relegation, the runner-up will face Real Cartagena in a play-off for the second promotion to the BetPlay League. The Dimayor confirmed this in an Exceptional Assembly held on Monday, December 9.
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How has the restructuring of the Colombian soccer league affected clubs like Unión Magdalena in recent years?
Time.news Editor: Welcome to our special segment on the revival of Colombian soccer! Today, we’re thrilled to have with us Javier Hernández, a well-respected sports analyst and expert in Colombian soccer. Welcome, Javier!
Javier Hernández: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here and discuss this exciting moment for unión Magdalena.
Editor: Unión Magdalena is just 90 minutes away from a potential return to the first division after their victory against llaneros in the BetPlay Tournament final. How important is this moment for the club and its fans?
Javier: This is monumental for Unión Magdalena. They’ve had a rich history in Colombian soccer, but recent years have been challenging.Finally securing a place back in the first division would not only restore their competitive stature but also reignite the passion of their fanbase, especially in Santa marta, where soccer is a vital part of the community.
Editor: indeed! The first match ended with a narrow 1-0 victory, thanks to Jannenson Sarmiento’s penalty goal. How crucial was that goal in setting the tone for the upcoming second leg?
Javier: That penalty goal is incredibly important. Not only does it give them a lead, but it also adds some psychological pressure on Llaneros as they prepare for the next match. Playing with a lead can be a double-edged sword; the team must balance between defending their advantage and looking for opportunities to extend it.
Editor: Absolutely! Looking ahead, what do you think will be the keys for Unión Magdalena to successfully wrap up this final match and secure their promotion?
Javier: They need to maintain their defensive discipline while also being opportunistic in attack. If they can keep a clean sheet and capitalize on any set-pieces or counterattacks, they’ve got a strong chance. also, the experience of the players in these high-pressure situations will be vital. They must remain composed and rely on their game plan.
Editor: In your opinion, how have recent changes in Colombian soccer impacted clubs like Unión Magdalena, especially in terms of competitiveness?
Javier: The recent restructuring of the league to enhance competitiveness has had a huge impact. clubs are becoming more strategic in their investments and training, focusing on youth development and tactical awareness. This makes every match competitive and exciting. Unión Magdalena has embraced this change, which is evident in their performance in the tournament.
Editor: It’s engaging to see how soccer evolves! Lastly, if Unión Magdalena does secure their promotion, what should fans expect in the first division?
Javier: they can expect tough competition with clubs that are historically strong and financially backed. It will be a chance for Unión Magdalena to showcase their quality and gain respect. The fans should also anticipate a thrilling season, as rivalries will intensify and the overall level of play will elevate.
Editor: Thank you, Javier, for your insights! It’s clear that Unión Magdalena’s journey is more than just about promotion; it’s about reviving a legacy and uniting the community. We look forward to seeing how the final match unfolds.
Javier: thank you! I’m excited to see the outcome as well. It’s a great time for Colombian soccer!
Editor: And thank you to our audience for joining us today. Stay tuned for more updates on Colombian soccer and other sporting events!