Penalty shoot-out drama takes Colón into Copa Sudamericana final

Underdogs Colón and Independiente del Valle of Ecuador will play the Copa Sudamericana final on November 9 in Asunción, after the two sides secured stunning two-legged upsets.

Club Atlético Colón, most commonly referred to as Colón de Santa Fe, reached the decider of the second-most prestigious South American club tournament after beating Brazil’s Atlético Mineiro 4-3 on penalties.

Regular time in Belo Horizonte ended in a 2-1 victory for the Brazilian hosts, the same score of a week earlier in favour of the Argentine side.

Argentine Franco di Sa nto a nd Colombia n Yimmy Chará scored for the Bra zilian side and looked to have put them through, before an 82nd minute penalty in the final stretch of the match from ‘La Pulguita,’ Luis Miguel Rodríguez, drew the tie level.

In the penalty shootout, Uruguayan goalkeeper Leonardo Burián was the hero, saving twice from Juan Cazares and Réver. to take his team through.

Colón will face Independiente del Valle in the final, who advanced Wednesday after a 2-2 draw in Quito with Brazilian favourites Corinthians. The Ecuadoreans won their away match in São Paulo 2-0.

Both Colón and Independiente del Valle will playing for their first South American trophy. The winner of the Copa Sudamericana also takes a spot in next year’s Copa Libertadores, the region’s most prestigious tournament.