Ospina, the last survivor of the Millonarios vs. National for Sudamericana 2007

National Athletic and Millionaires face each other in the preliminary phase of the CONMEBOL Sudamericana 2026the key will be played in a single match at the Atanasio Girardot and the goalkeeper David Ospina will once again star in a duel for this international tournament against the Ambassadors, against whom they lost in 2007.

Ospina is the only survivor of that remembered key to Sudamericana nineteen years ago, today with all the experience behind him, will seek to remove the thorn that that elimination left him defending the goal of Atlético Nacional.

Time has passed, Ospina is 38 years old and on that occasion just I just turned 19later went abroad, he established himself as the leader and starting goalkeeper of the Colombian National Team, marking an era in the Tricolor goal and competing, among other things, in two World Cups. David shortcut in France, England, Italy, Saudi Arabia and almost two decades later he will be at the helm again to defend his goal with Nacional in an international duel against Millonarios.

The 2007 Sudamericana key was different, they faced each other in the second round and it was with round-trip matches. Atlético Nacional had just eliminated Universitario, while Millonarios did the same, leaving Coronel Bolognesi behind.

It was a night of terror for Ospina against Millonarios

The series started in Medellín and That night Ospina suffered the blow that Millos gave in the Atanasio with three goals involved. The goalkeeper had gotten off to a difficult start and could have been expelled from the first time. In times when VAR did not yet exist, the goalkeeper left his area and ended up cutting off an attack by Millonarios outside the area and with his hand.

Then the Verdolagas started winning in the first half with a goal from Víctor Aristizábalbut then the Albiazul comeback would come.

Just as the complementary stage began, Millonarios came out determined and scored what was a partial tie, the first goal that Ospina received that night It was after a center from Ervin González and the definition of a Jonathan Estrada who appeared in the area to push her with his left foot and threw himself forward with his feet.

Ospina would barely be a spectator for Millonarios’ second goalat minute 55′ Carlos Villagra controlled his chest and sent a precise cross for a Ricardo Ciciliano, who just entered the area, took an impeccable left-footed volley into the corner.while the Atlético Nacional goalkeeper didn’t even jump and he followed the ball with his gaze.

Millonarios reached the third goal and again David Ospina had to do with it, the goalkeeper knocked down Jonathan Estrada inside the area and the judge did not hesitate to order the maximum penalty.. Ciciliano came to collect and shot Ospina from the white point, an unstoppable overhead shot due to the power it carried.

Nacional then closed the gap with a goal from Aldo Leao Ramírez.

The elimination of Atlético Nacional was completed a week later also with Ospina in goal when at the Nemesio Camacho El Campín stadium in Bogotá, Millonarios was the one who advanced after drawing 0-0.