Atletico Nacional has a positive record in BetPlay Cup finals

National athlete They reached the Grand Final of the BetPlay Cup after defeating Deportivo Pereira in a close semi-final that had to be decided on penalties at the Polidportivo Sur Stadium in Envigado.

Bodmer Verdulaga’s side knew how to reverse the 0-2 scoreline they brought from the Maticaña Stadium, winning 3-1 with a brace from Jefferson Duque and eliminating Restrepo’s team with a brilliant save from Mir in the maximum penalty shootout. Now wait for Millonarios or Cúcuta, who are facing each other on the other side of the tournament key.

With the ticket secured and awaiting a possible rematch against Al-Safir after what was the final of the first semester, ESPN Colombia Remember Verdolaga’s history in Betplay Cup finals, a precedent that invites the Medellín Foundation to dream.

How did Atletico Nacional perform in the BetPlay Cup finals?

Fortunately for Nacional, if there’s one thing they can boast, it’s that they are the ‘home fixture’ in the BetPlay Cup finals. Throughout its history, Verdi has played five finals in this competition, which was held again in 2008, and He never lost.

The first final played by Atlético Nacional was held in 2012. In that edition they had to face Deportivo Pasto. After a 0-0 draw at the Estadio Fulcanico, the title was decided at the Estadio Atanasio, where the team led by Osorio at the time won 2-0 thanks to goals from Uribe and Valencia.

Given the potential context of the National Milos final, the Greens already know what it would mean to defeat the Ambassador in the final of this competition. They achieved this in the 2013 edition in what was a two-time tournament again with Osorio at the helm. The key was very even and defined with detail. The first leg ended 2-2 in Bogota and things moved to Medellin, the city that saw Nacional celebrate once again: they won the title after winning the second leg 1-0 with another goal from Valencia, which they scored in the 2012 final.

After that title, Nacional had to wait three years to return to the BetPlay Cup final. In 2016 he had to face Junior in another duel between the FPC greats. Unlike in previous consecrations, the decisive series in Medellin began with a 2-1 victory for Verdi. The second leg, which was held in Barranquilla, ended with a 1-0 victory for Nacional, putting an end to Tiburon’s chances.

Verdi’s fourth star of 2018 came against Once Caldas, the team that claimed the most from Nacional in a series that was decided in the final minutes. The first leg ended in a 2-2 draw at Balogrande, and with Attanasio in charge, the cup returned to the leg again with a score of 2-1. The match remained tied at 1-1 until the 90th minute, but the appearance of Daniel Bocanegra changed everything: he scored a stunning goal from a free kick in stoppage time and had the stadium’s stands packed with fans.

Nacional’s fifth and final win in the Betplay Cup in 2021 was against the same opposition they eliminated in the semi-finals this year. The team led by Restrepo (who struggled against Verde in 2023) was strong against Matecania, who had no chance in the entire final. With a landslide 5-1 victory overall, the Purslanes won the title once again.