Liga Postobon: Last minute goal denies Nacional top spot

Quindio moved to the top of the Colombia’s Liga Postobon Sunday after a last gasp Chico goal denied Atletico Nacional three points in their home town Medellin.

Nacional had the best of the first half, with Dorlan Pabon going closest with a cheeky lob from the edge of the area. They finally managed to break the deadlock on the stroke of half time when striker Diego Alvarez lost his marker to glance in a header at the near post from a corner.

A more open second half saw both teams have a string of half chances. Chico’s chances of an equaliser seemed to have faded though when, with two minutes to go and the Medellin rain pouring down, Nacional failed to clear miserably allowing Jose Correa to take a scuffed shot that took a deflection on its way in. The result leaves both teams tied on seventeen points.

The draw let Quindio move one point clear on 18. They were already 2-0 up when Omar Andres Rodriguez Martinez was sent off in the 59th minute, reducing Millionarios to ten men. Shortly after veteran striker Hamilton Ricard scored his and Quindio’s third goal, wrapping up a hat-trick for him and a comfortable win for the team.

Junior also stays level with Nacional and Chico after they failed to find a way past the defence of Itagui, despite having the best chances of a tight game. For the last twenty minutes Itagui had to hold on with ten men after Samuel Venagas was sent off for a scything tackle.

Also on 17 points in the five way tie for second place are America de Cali, who cruised past strugglers Cucuta 3-0, a result which leaves Cucuta in the bottom two, and Tolima, who beat Cartagena 1-0.

A 22nd minute goal from Jhon Andres Cordoba Copete was enough for Envigado to defeat local rivals Medellin. Envigado are now in seventh place, which they share with Deportivo Pereira and Deportivo Cali who drew 0-0 with each other, Santa Fe, who beat Huila thanks to a 60th minute Jonathan Copete goal and Itagui.

Elsewhere La Equidad could only draw 0-0 with Once Caldas, leaving them rooted to the bottom of the table.

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