Atlético Nacional claim top spot with late comeback against Fortaleza
Atlético Nacional came from behind to beat Fortaleza 2:1 in the Clausura, a result that keeps them at the summit of Primera A. The visitors took the lead through Andrés Copete in the 43rd minute, but the home side's momentum shifted after the break. Éder Cardona's penalty in the 89th minute proved decisive, completing a turnaround that left Fortaleza still rooted to 15th place.
Fortaleza looked like they might hold on until Atlético Nacional brought on three players at the restart—C. Arango, J. Rengifo and A. Sarmiento—and the game opened up. Álex Morelos struck in the 77th minute to level matters, and here's the thing: the visitors had been the better side for long stretches, just not the most efficient. Fortaleza had Copete's goal and nothing else to show for their 51.755 spectators' support.
The decisive moment came when Cardona stepped up from the spot in the 89th minute. By then Fortaleza had already brought on S. Navarro and J. Solis in an attempt to hold the draw, but the visitors had nothing to lose at that stage. A VAR check cancelled a late Fortaleza effort offside, so the visitors closed the game out without further drama.
The statistics tell the fuller story. Atlético Nacional enjoyed 66 per cent possession and registered 1.93 expected goals against 0.51 for the hosts. Fortaleza managed five shots on target but created no big chances, while the visitors produced one. The match was won and lost in those moments rather than in the possession figures.
Fortaleza remain 15th with 22 points from 19 games, a position that reflects their inconsistency. Atlético Nacional extend their lead at the top to 18 points, having won three of their last four league matches despite a heavy defeat to América de Cali earlier this month. The gap is growing.
