Atlético Nacional Takes Halftime Lead After Tough Match Against Internacional. In Medellín, Atlético Nacional managed to turn the tide in their match against Internacional de Bogotá. The team scored twice before halftime to take the lead in the series. The game was marked by intense competition and rapid shifts on the field.
In the first half of the BetPlay League quarterfinal match between Atlético Nacional and Internacional de Bogotá at the Atanasio Girardot stadium, the hosts faced serious difficulties. The visitors from Bogotá quickly capitalized on a defensive error and opened the scoring after a swift attack finished by Valencia. This goal resulted from Nacional's defenders failing to recover after losing the ball on the opponent's half.
Despite conceding an early goal, the Medellín team did not allow their opponents to build on their success. Internacional set up a compact 4-4-2 defense, and goalkeeper Wuilker Faríñez saved the team several times from dangerous moments. However, Nacional's pressure continued to mount, especially down the right flank where Andrés Román was very active. The hosts often relied on individual plays and set pieces, which eventually paid off.
Towards the end of the half, Atlético Nacional equalized: Simón García scored with a header from a cross by William Tesillo, marking his first goal in this tournament. This episode became a turning point — the atmosphere in the stadium shifted dramatically as fans rallied behind the team in their pursuit of a comeback. Shortly thereafter, Mateus Uribe put the hosts ahead, finishing Rengifo's cross with an accurate header.
By halftime, Nacional had not only leveled the score in the match but also pulled ahead on aggregate, despite occasionally lacking cohesion in attack. The pace and emotional intensity on the pitch were reminiscent of other tense Colombian football matches, like the recent encounter between Sevilla and Espanyol, where the outcome was decided in the final minutes — you can learn more about this in the article about the battle for survival in La Liga.
The second half of the match promises no less intrigue: both teams have shown they are capable of quickly changing the course of the game and exploiting their opponent’s weaknesses. The question of who will reach the BetPlay League semi-finals remains open.
