Millonarios won their first Colombian championship for 24 years after they defeated Independiente Medellin Sunday in a nail-biting penalty shootout in the final of the Liga Postobon 2012.
Goalkeeper Luis Delgado was the hero in Bogota as he scored his penalty before saving the crucial spot kick from Medellin midfielder Andres Correa Osorio.
The result was harsh on Medellin who had shown great character to battle back from 1-0 down to end the 90 minutes at 1-1, despite playing much of the second half with 10 men.
Millonarios took the lead just before half time through Wilberto Cosme but were pegged back when Medellin’s William Zapata scored from close range after the break.
The hosts started the match much the brighter and went within inches of taking the lead inside 10 minutes when Otalvaro Arce hit the post.
Arce collected a cross-field pass on the edge of the penalty area before cutting inside and letting fly a curling shot which cannoned off the wrong side of the far post with the Medellin goalkeeper well beaten.
The warning seemed to spark Medellin into life and they finally began to get a foothold in the game, enjoying more possession and attacking with pace at the other end.
Indeed Zapata could have had a clear run on goal but was denied by a last ditch challenge on the edge of the area midway through the half.
Sebastian Hernandez then almost forged a chance out of nothing when his acrobatic volley from 10 yards flew just wide of the post.
Medellin’s players were looking so comfortable it came as somewhat of a surprise when Millonarios took the lead, one minute from half time.
Following a bad clearance the hosts pushed forward and the ball was eventually crossed from the right for Cosme to smash into the roof of the net from close range.
The goal sent the capacity home crowd into delirium as they began to dream of a first championship since 1988.
DIM came out after the break on the front foot and scored the equalizer on 51 minutes with Zapata following in his saved shot to bundle the ball into the net from a yard.
However the jubilations among the players came at a cost as Felipe Parde was shown a second yellow card for what seemed like an over-celebration in front of the Millonarios supporters.
The hosts almost took immediate advantage when the put the ball in the net but the goal, but to the disbelief of the players the goal was ruled out for offside.
With the visitors down a player they had to withstand a late siege from Millonarios but some confident goalkeeping and brave defending kept the Bogota giants at bay while on the break, and on set pieces, Medellin always looked a threat.
The visitors did well to hold on to penalties but were left heartbroken as Osoria missed the decisive kick.