What a way to suffer to win!
Chivas returned to the path of victory, but they did so with their hearts in their throats. In the Tapatío Classic, the Flock needed an “angel fallen from heaven”—and his name was literally Angel—to take the three points.
It all started bad. An incredible mistake by Raúl Rangel gave Atlas the first goal. Paulo Ramírez did not forgive that gift and put the red and black team ahead.
“He finished with a left foot shot that was unreachable for the Mexican National Team goalkeeper,” they described from the field.
That goal against woke up the Chivas. Gabriel Milito sent his team to the front, which generated and generated… but the ball did not want to go in. Until Armando González arrived.
La “Hormiga” took advantage of a forced exit by Roberto Alvarado, shot from afar, and with a lucky deflection, achieved the tie. Finally!
But here comes the dramatic twist. González himself, hero of the moment, had the opportunity to put Chivas ahead from eleven steps. Failed. Camilo Vargas saved his penalty.
From hero to villain in seconds. Those things only happen in the classics.
When everything seemed destined for a tie, he appeared: Ángel Sepúlveda. With the coldness that comes from experience, “Sepu” did not fail from the penalty spot in the 83rd minute.
Unlike his partner, he did manage to deceive Vargas. Great goal and victory.
A key victory
Beyond the three points—which keep them third—this is a huge emotional victory for Milito and his group. Winning a classic like this, suffering, coming back and defining at the end, forges character.
It wasn’t pretty, but it was effective. In the fight for the top of the table, these three points taste like glory.
