In the second midweek match (the first was a couple of weeks ago) designed to prevent a fixture pile-up for Estudiantes de La Plata due to their Club World Cup appearance in December, the champions of South America did the same as in the last one – they lost. And by defeating the Copa Libertadores holders (or rather their reserves), Colón become the third Argentine club to secure their participation in the 2010 edition of the tournament. Federico Nieto got the goal that sent them there in stoppage time, and it was a cracker. Watch it here.
It was a staid match which was heading for a draw until Nieto struck in the first minute of time added on, cushioning a high ball before turning and hitting a dipping shot that flew just under Estudiantes goalkeeper Damián Albil’s crossbar. Antonio Mohamed’s side would in fact have qualified for the Copa anyway with a draw, but Nieto made sure their participation was confirmed the nice way, with a win.
Vélez Sársfield, as champions of the Clausura, and Estudiantes themselves as defending champions, are the first two names in the Argentine pot for the 2010 Copa Libertadores, and Colón now join them courtesy of the points they’ve accumulated during the two short tournaments in 2009. Three places remain – one for the Apertura winners (assuming Colón themselves don’t manage that – Estudiantes are now all but out of it by virtue of having played two matches more than their rivals) and two for the next highest scorers in that aggregate points table.
Primera División Torneo Apertura, 19th round: Club Estudiantes de La Plata 0 – 1 Club Atlético Colón
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