Estudiantes de Mérida defeated Deportivo Táchira against all odds in a penalty shootout (3-1) after a 1-1 draw in regulation time, within the framework of the first Andean classic for the Copa Suramericana.
The rojinegro secured $900.000 for said pass to the group stage and lives a dream present, after a bitter 2022 due to the death of its previous owner, Christian Toni.
The game was not what was expected. Táchira could not impose conditions in the Metropolitano stadium and Estudiantes endured the attacks from the aurinegro team led by Yerson Chacón. The academy got its reward in the final minutes for the definition of penalties with a brilliant Beycker Velázquez, registering his name in the group stage of the second most important competition in the South American confederation.
Jesús "Pulga" Gómez, who lives a second youth in his last year as a professional, was in charge of the rebellion of the team from the city of knights against the Tachirense team.
The second half was played in the visitor's area, Ali Cañas hit the key with the entry of winger Marcel Guaramato who was complemented by the youthful Wilfredo Peña and the Panamanian Ervin Zorrilla to generate chances in the area defended by Jesús Camargo.
More than 15.000 people present on Wednesday night at the Metropolitano stadium were eyewitnesses of the rojiblanco epic that will play the group stage of the international cup for the first time since 2020.
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Eduardo Saragó, Táchira's coach, made a mistake in the changes and gave the second half to the locals, after a first half with many chances.
Estudiantes will be the other representative of Venezuela in Suramericana, a well-deserved award for a historic Venezuelan soccer team that knew how to respect the house against its great regional rival.
