Junior crushes Nacional, leaves them stunned, and edges closer to the Liga final

Junior de Barranquilla took a major step toward the Liga BetPlay 2026-I title after defeating Atlético Nacional 3-0 in the first leg of the final at Estadio Romelio Martínez in Barranquilla. The home side, known for its strong record at home and its bid to defend the bicampeonato, delivered a commanding performance in front of its supporters and now goes into the decisive second leg with a significant advantage.

The match began with intensity and early tension. Atlético Nacional tried to impose itself in the opening minutes, but Junior responded with quick transitions and direct attacking play. One of the first warning signs came at the 6th minute, when referee Carlos Ortega spoke firmly to Alfredo Morelos after a heated action in midfield. The clash reflected the high stakes of the final and the physical tone that would shape the opening stages.

Junior struck first in the 7th minute through Bryan Castrillón, who opened the scoring and set the tone for the rest of the night. The goal energized the Barranquilla crowd and gave the hosts even more confidence as they continued pressing forward. Nacional attempted to react, with Morelos trying to create danger in attack, but Junior remained compact and effective.

The second goal arrived in the 36th minute, when Luis Fernando Muriel extended Junior’s lead. That strike further tilted the match in favor of the home team and forced Atlético Nacional to chase the game under increasing pressure. Junior’s attacking rhythm remained strong, and the team kept finding spaces behind the visiting defense. In the 45+3 minute, goalkeeper Rivera made a crucial intervention to preserve the advantage before halftime, preventing Nacional from changing the momentum before the break.

After the restart, Junior came out determined to finish the job. Muriel scored again in the 52nd minute to complete his brace and make the score 3-0, delivering what proved to be the decisive blow in the first leg. Nacional struggled to recover from the third goal and could not find a response against a well-organized Junior side. The hosts continued to threaten, and at the 66th minute they were even close to adding a fourth.

As the match entered its final stretch, Muriel received applause from the stands before being substituted in the 82nd minute, with Joel Canchimbo coming on in his place. By then, Junior had already secured a memorable victory that leaves it in a strong position ahead of the return leg.

The final whistle confirmed a dominant 3-0 result for Junior, with goals from Bryan Castrillón and a double from Luis Fernando Muriel. For Atlético Nacional, the defeat represents a difficult setback in its pursuit of a 19th league title, while Junior now holds a comfortable edge in the title series.