Junior de Barranquilla, champions of Colombia

Junior de Barranquilla achieved its 10th title in the Colombian Liga BetPlay after beating Independiente Medellín (DIM) in a dramatic finale to the clausura standings. After an emotional two-legged affair, the final ended in a tense penalty shootout, with Junior emerging victorious.

Despite winning the first leg 3-2, DIM worked up a two-goal (and overall) lead in the second leg, through goals from Varela and Cetré. With just seconds remaining on the clock, Junior’s Hernández picked up a ball inside the area after Caicedo long pass and slotted home to level the tie at 4-4.

From the spot, Junior’s latest signing and goalkeeper Santiago Mele became the hero – saving Torres’ kick. Leider Berrios put away the clinching spotkick, delivering a 5-3 penalty shootout win for the side from Barranquilla.

Season in numbers

Both Junior and DIM were the league’s top scoring teams, fetching 47 goals each. For Junior, that comes as something of a surprise, as they only scored 29 (1.45 per game) across the regular season (20 games). Their post-season form was excellent, increasing their goalscoring output but 48%.

César Farías delivers for Águilas

Independiente Medellín lost just one match in the 20-game regular season. They finished in second place, behind the César Farías-coached Águilas Doradas. Venezuelan Farías was the best-performing coach of the regular season of 2023, ending the tournament undefeated for the first time in Liga BetPlay history. Farías arrived in Colombia just six months ago and already qualified Águilas Doradas for the Copa Libertadores for the first time ever.

The run for the Colombian “capocannoniere”

37-year-old Carlos Bacca had an impressive campaign, scoring 18 goals in 28 matches for Junior. In the away leg of the final, Bacca scored two and added an assist in a pivotal performance.

For DIM, Edwin Cetré scored 15 goals in the tournament. Remarkably, 10 of those came from the penalty spot. Marco Pérez (Águilas Doradas) ended with 15 goals in 24 matches (0.62 per game), six from the penalty spot. Dayro Moreno (11) and Luis Sandoval (9) round off the top-five scorers list.