What Happened: A Comprehensive Guide
- Atlético Nacional's Copa Libertadores 2025 campaign came to a heartbreaking end at the legendary Morumbi stadium, falling 4-3 in a penalty shootout against São Paulo.
- The match itself was a tense affair, with both teams creating opportunities.Morelos's goal, arriving in the 70th minute, injected renewed hope into the Nacional faithful, leveling the score...
- The expulsion of Edwin Cardona proved to be a pivotal moment, sparking immediate controversy.
Atlético Nacional’s Copa Libertadores Run Ends in Dramatic Penalty Shootout
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Heartbreak in São paulo
Atlético Nacional’s Copa Libertadores 2025 campaign came to a heartbreaking end at the legendary Morumbi stadium, falling 4-3 in a penalty shootout against São Paulo. Despite a spirited performance and a 70th-minute equalizer from Alfredo Morelos, the Colombian side couldn’t overcome their opponents and the disadvantage of playing nearly half an hour with ten men following Edwin Cardona’s controversial expulsion.
The match itself was a tense affair, with both teams creating opportunities.Morelos’s goal, arriving in the 70th minute, injected renewed hope into the Nacional faithful, leveling the score and seemingly shifting the momentum. However, the joy was short-lived as Cardona’s subsequent sending-off dramatically altered the complexion of the game.
A Controversial Dismissal
The expulsion of Edwin Cardona proved to be a pivotal moment, sparking immediate controversy. The experienced midfielder received his second yellow card almost instantly after morelos’s equalizing goal. Video footage circulating on social media, captured by a fan in the stands, appears to show Cardona celebrating emphatically in the face of São Paulo’s Nahuel Ferraresi, directly in front of referee Maximiliano Ramírez. The referee swiftly responded, issuing the decisive second yellow card.
Video in which Edwin Cardona‘s celebration is seen on Nahuel Ferraresi’s face, defender of São Paulo, who ended up costing the second yellow and expulsion 🏆⚠️
Was it well sanctioned? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/pJ5tQJrM3t
– Out of Context Libertadores (@oc_libertadores)
Despite protests from the Nacional players, Ramírez stood firm in his decision, and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) was unable to intervene as the offense was deemed a straight red card offense.
Cardona Under Fire
The decision to send off Cardona has drawn significant criticism, not only for the incident itself but also for his earlier performance in the first leg of the tie, where he missed two crucial penalty kicks. Fans have voiced their displeasure with his attitude and lack of composure in high-pressure situations. The incident adds another layer of scrutiny to Cardona’s recent form.
Looking ahead: Focus Shifts to Domestic Competitions
With their Copa Libertadores dreams dashed, Atlético nacional must now turn their attention to domestic competitions. They are scheduled to face rivals América de Cali on Sunday, August 24th, at Pascual Guerrero stadium in a highly anticipated Colombian clásico. América de Cali was also eliminated from international competition, having been defeated in the Copa sudamericana.