Medellin defeats America and is the first Colombian in the group stage of South America

With goalkeeper Andrés Mosquera as the figure, Independiente Medellín defeated América de Cali 3-1 on penalties (equality 3-3 on aggregate) and qualified for the group stage of the 2022 Copa Sudamericana.

The 30-year-old goalkeeper saved two penalties in the definition and established himself as the hero of the key among Colombian teams. Elvis Mosquera wasted another maximum penalty for the scarlets.

In the 90 minutes, DIM, who missed two penalties in the series, had scored thanks to a neglect of the rival defense that striker Luciano Pons took advantage of in the 24th.

Before their audience, America unsuccessfully stroked the comeback of the 2-1 suffered in the first leg with an early goal by Carlos Sierra (minute 9) and another by Adrián Ramos in the 63rd.

Thus, Medellin became the first representative of Colombia to secure a place in the group stage of the South American. On March 25, when the draw takes place, he will meet his next rivals.

- Argentine cunning -

From the first minutes of the match, the visit took over the ball and wanted to replicate the marked superiority they achieved from start to finish in the first leg.

But in the 9th minute, America surprised by scoring on their first offensive play through midfielder Carlos Sierra.

Based on equality in the overall, what followed in the match was a pull and pull between the visit, who sought to regain the advantage by spinning passes until they reached the goal with the speedy Vladimir Hernández, and the locals who retreated and then counterattack.

At 24, the cunning of the Argentineans of DIM made the difference in a duel that was even. Adrián Arregui was more alive than everyone and quickly took a free kick, surprising the unsuspecting defenders who took their eyes off the ball.

Luciano Pons, who received the pass at the grass of his compatriot, threatened in the area the only defender who noticed the movement and scored.

Thus the striker who reached the 'mighty of the mountain' this season compensated for the penalty lost in last week's match.

At the end of the first half, the absence of video refereeing was felt at the Pascual Guerrero stadium after a strong entry by Victor Moreno on Pons.

The central defender smashed the cleats of his boots almost against the scorer's knee in the area, but the referee did not whistle on the penalty. Pons came out in pain to receive medical assistance and did not return after halftime.

- Mosquera Exhibition -

In '56, Vladimir Hernandez went crazy with his rhythm at the American central. One of them knocked him down as he approached goalkeeper Joel Graterol and the referee took the maximum penalty.

But the Venezuelan goalkeeper once again gave air to those led by Juan Carlos Osorio and saved the shot of DIM captain Andrés Cadavid.

The one who did not waste was striker Adrián Ramos, former German Borussia Dortmund player, and at 63 he matched the key again with a header. The pace was frantic.

Both teams were able to avoid penalties in the twilight of the match, but the show was reserved for Mosquera to respond to his colleague's save and become a figure.

The veteran covered the first and second American penalties to give his team victory.

the/cl