Duvier Riascos, responsible for the second Millonarios goal Photo: Millonarios
In El Campín Millonarios qualify for the semifinals of the Liga Águila with a 2-0 victory over Atlético Bucaramanga, following a 2-2 draw in Floridablanca last Wednesday.
The capital’s only remaining representative, Millonarios, are through to the semi-finals of the Liga Aguila Apertura tournament, after coolly dispatching Bucaramanga 2-0 in the return leg of their tie last night.
Despite Colombia not using away goals, Los embajadores went into the match as clear favourites after a 93rd minute Ayron Del Valle penalty had kept them level at 2-2 in a thrilling finale to the first leg at the Álvaro Gómez Hurtado on Wednesday.
Despite the importance of the game, neutrals may well have been forgiven for losing interest, as they had to wait until the 43rd minute for the first clear-cut chance. After a perfectly weighted chip into the six-yard box, a cross and a botched bicycle kick, the ball bobbled out to Millonarios midfielder Henry Rojas, who blazed a volley just past the back post.
Rojas got the job done three minutes later, however, when he found Andrés Cadavid from a corner for the opener. Millonarios doubled their lead in the fourth minute of the first half stoppage time when striker Duvier Riascos headed home another Rojas corner, this time from the far post.
Bucaramanga asked no serious questions of their hosts in the second half of the leg, with their first real chance coming in the 75th minute, when Fabio Faider Burbano fired just over the crossbar from range. The tie was well and truly put to bed three minutes later with Yulian Anchico receiving a second yellow for an untidy nip at Harold Mosquera’s heels.
In the semi-finals, Millonarios have by far their biggest challenge of the season coming up. They will attempt to avenge their 0-1 home loss to Atlético Nacional, who were undefeated until the final match of the regular season and dispatched Montería’s Jaguares 6-3 on aggregate in the quarterfinals. The first leg at El Campín is set for Wednesday 7.05pm, with the return leg to be played at the Atanasio Girardot in Medellín on Sunday 5.30pm. The winner will face either Deportivo Cali or América de Cali a week later for the league title.
By Tristan Quigley
