Editorial staff of El País
On one side Nacional and on the other Peñarol. Regardless of the context, every time both teams meet, they steal all the attention and the final of the Intermediate Tournament was no exception.
On the contrary, the fact that there was a trophy at stake gave even more importance to a new edition of the Uruguayan football classic that was played at the Centenario Stadium with both fan bases in the stands.
But after 90 even minutes where there were chances for both teams, the penalties were the main source of excitement in the afternoon, even though there were two great goals in the match.
First, because Leonardo Fernández took advantage of a free kick, his specialty, and beat Luis Mejía, putting the ball in the upper left corner, the same corner that near the end saw Gonzalo Petit’s ball go in, who opened his foot and scored the final 1-1.
From there, the penalty shootout took place, where both teams had their chances on different occasions. There were shots that went wide, shots that were saved, shots that hit the post and a couple of goals with great finishes, but it was so even that they had to start shooting again.
Leonardo Fernández, who had started off with a mistake, kicked the 11th penalty and missed again, allowing Diego Polenta to seal the decision and thus give the title to Nacional, who won the Intermediate Tournament for the fifth time.
– Leonardo Fernandez (P) – Away / 0-0
– Diego Polenta (N) – Saved / 0-0
– Guzman Rodriguez (P) – Goal / 0-1
– Gonzalo Petit (N) – Goal / 1-1
– Diego Sosa (P) – Goal / 1-2
– Mauricio Pereyra (N) – Goal / 2-2
– Nicolás Rossi (P)- Saved / 2-2
– Jeremiah Recoba (N)- Goal / 3-2
– Washington Aguerre (P) – Gol / 3-3
– Alexis Castro (N) – Outside / 3-3
– Leonardo Coelho (P) – Goal / 3-4
– Leandro Lozano (N) – Goal / 4-4
– Damian Garcia (P) – Goal – / 4-5
– Guillermo López (N) – Goal / 5-5
– Maximiliano Olivera (P) – To the post / 5-5
– Sebastian Coates (N) – To the post / 5-5
– Javier Méndez (P) – Goal / 5-6
– Gabriel Báez (N) – Goal / 6-6
– Camilo Mayada (P) – Goal / 6-7
– Luis Mejia (N) – Goal / 7-7
– Leonardo Fernandez (P) – Outside / 7-7
– Diego Polenta (N) – Goal / 8-7
Minute by minute of Ovación live:
90+3′ End of the match!
The game ended in a draw thanks to two goals. One by Leonardo Fernández and another by Gonzalo Petit, which made it 1-1 and sent the game to penalties where the Intermedio champion will be decided.
89′ | One sent off for each side
After an argument and pushing, which began between Christian Oliva and Facundo Batista, and then became general, both were expelled and both ended with 10 players.
He went to look for it almost in his own area, touched it and went on the attack. A collective play and the ball fell to Gonzalo Petit who defined and placed it in the corner and tied the game.
Leandro Lozano celebrates with Gonzalo Petit after Nacional’s goal against Peñarol.
Photo: Estefania Leal.
71′ | Silvera managed and complicated things
The forward stepped on the ball inside the area and unleashed a powerful shot that deflected just wide and went over Mejía, but to the corner.
70′ | Once again Aguerre shined
Nacional is going hard for the equalizer and Alexis Castro tried from outside the area with a shot that Washington Aguerre sent to the corner with a good intervention.
60′ | Nacional dominates the ball and seeks the equalizer
From the start of the second half, the tricolor team attacked in search of a tie, while Peñarol retreated a few meters betting on the counterattack.
Lucas Hernández with the ball in the match between Nacional and Peñarol against Antonio Galeano.
Photo: Estefania Leal.
54′ | Aguerre saved Peñarol’s goal
Sebastián Coates started the ball, played with Petit who cushioned the ball for Castro and he played with Zabala. Didi hooked inside the area and when he finished he provoked a great save from Washington Aguerre.
47′ | Nacional had a chance, but Báez didn’t make the right decision
Three attacked and two defended, the left back could have passed it to Gonzalo Petit in the middle, but he defined it crosswise and high.
45′ | Seba Coates on the pitch and his return to the national team
At the start of the second half, Martín Lasarte sent the defender onto the field in place of Juan Izquierdo, marking his return to the tricolor.
16:05 | The second half has begun!
Nacional and Peñarol are already playing the second half at the Centenario Stadium, for the final of the Intermediate Tournament.
Diego Zabala in the classic between Nacional and Peñarol against Pedro Milans and Damián García.
Photo: Estefania Leal.
45+2′ | End of the first half!
Peñarol went into the break ahead thanks to a goal from Leonardo Fernández against a Nacional team that improved after Mirasol’s goal, but was unable to find the equalizer.
36′ | Castro had the equaliser right away
In the first play after the black and gold goal, Alexis Castro appeared on the left wing, shot across the goal and the ball went just wide of Washington Aguerre’s goal.
Leonardo Fernández was fouled on the edge of the area, took charge of finishing it off and with a great execution he put the black and gold team ahead, beating Luis Mejía.
Leonardo Fernández against Christian Oliva in the classic between Nacional and Peñarol for the Intermediate Tournament.
Photo: Ignacio Sanchez.
28′ | Nacional’s first attack was dangerous
After three headers in the area, the ball fell to Alexis Castro and when he went to shoot, Pedro Milans closed him down to prevent the Argentine from shooting comfortably.
23′ | Fernandez tried from outside, but the shot went wide
After a good collective combination between Pedro Milans and Javier Cabrera, the ball fell to the feet of Leonardo Fernández who shot with his best profile, but he handled the ball badly and it went wide.
Leo Fernandez in Peñarol and Diego Zabala in Nacional.
Photo: Estefania Leal
15′ | The first was Peñarol’s
A long pass set Javier Cabrera on the run, who overflowed and sent the cross back that found Lucas Hernández. The left winger finished first time, but his shot went wide.
10′ | No arrivals, but with a request from Ostojich
After a play in which Maximiliano Silvera escaped in the attack and fell to the ground, he called for a foul by Diego Polenta, but the referee did not call it and asked him not to simulate while the tricolor captain asked for the yellow card.
5′ | Even and study start
Although Peñarol had more possession of the ball, this occurred mainly in their area and in the midfield without much depth.
15:00 | The match has started!
Nacional and Peñarol are now playing for the final of the Intermediate Tournament at the Centenario Stadium.
Time: 15:00
Stadium: Centenario
Televisa: VTV Plus and Disney+
Referees: Esteban Ostojich; Hector Bergalo, Sebastian Silvera; Hernan Heras
VAR: Christian Ferreyra, Yimmy Álvarez and Santiago Fernández
National: L. Mejía; L. Lozano, J. Izquierdo (45′ S. Coates), D. Polenta, G. Báez; C. Oliva, L. Sanabria (61′ M. Pereyra), A. Castro; A. Galeano (61′ J. Recoba), F. Santander (37′ G. Petit), D. Zabala (77′ Guillermo López). DT: Martin Lasarte.
Peñarol: W. Aguerre; P. Milans (80′ C. Mayada), L. Coelho, G. Rodríguez, M. Olivera; D. García, J. Méndez; J. Cabrera (80′ N. Rossi), L. Fernández, L. Hernández (66′ D. Sosa); M. Silvera (75′ F. Batista). DT: Diego Aguirre.
Goal: 33′ L. Fernández (P) / 0-1; 79′ G. Petit (N); 1-1
Yellow: G. Gonzalez -on the bench-, L. Mejia (N); L. Hernandez, L. Fernandez, G. Rodriguez (P).
Rojas: 89′ C. Oliva, M. Antoni -on the bench- (N); 89′ F. Batista, S. Cristóforo -on the bench- (P).
14:20 | Peñarol also on the pitch in the pre-match
The team led by Diego Aguirre took to the field and was also applauded by the mirasoles fans who came to the Centenario and performed the pre-competition movements.
Washington Aguerre before the match between Nacional and Peñarol.
Photo: Ignacio Sanchez.
14:15 | The Nacional squad takes to the field
Under the encouragement of the fans located in the three stands enabled, those directed by Martín Lasarte went out onto the field to do the warm-up beforehand.
Sebastián Coates before the match between Nacional and Peñarol.
Photo: Estefania Leal.
14:07 | Aguirre has confirmed the team for the final
With Leo Coelho in defence and Javier Méndez in midfield, Peñarol has its starting eleven to face the classic.
14:05 | Nacional confirmed the eleven for the classic
With no surprises in the starting lineup, Martín Lasarte announced the lineup for the Intermedio final.
14:00 | Washington Aguerre’s unique look
The Peñarol goalkeeper was present at the Centenario Stadium with a particular look, especially in his hair where two yellow stripes could be seen.
13:55 | This is how the two fan groups experienced it in the lead-up
Nacional and Peñarol fans began to arrive at the Estadio Centenario as the minutes passed. At 12:30 the doors opened and an hour later there was already a very good crowd.
Nacional fans in the preview of the classic for the Intermediate Tournament,
Photo: Estefania Leal.
After five years, an official derby is being played again with fans of both teams in the stands, since the last ones were played in the venues corresponding to the local teams.
Peñarol fans before the derby against Nacional in the Intermediate Tournament.
Photo: Ignacio Sanchez.
13:40 | Esteban Ostojich heads the refereeing team
The San José native will be the central referee for the match and will officiate his second official derby. The first was in May 2019 and ended 1-1. Héctor Bergaló and Sebastián Silvera are the assistants, while Hernán Heras is the fourth. The VAR has Christian Ferreyra, Yimmy Álvarez and Santiago Fernández.
The refereeing team for the classic between Nacional and Peñarol.
Photo: Estefania Leal.
13:30 | Diego Aguirre, with casualties, has his roster
Without Leonardo Sequeira and Eduardo Darias injured and Gastón Ramírez suspended, the Peñarol coach is counting on his squad.
13:25 | Which players does Lasarte have available?
The tricolor coach announced the list of players called up for the classic clash with important absences such as Gonzalo Carneiro and Ruben Bentancourt, but with the presence of Sebastián Coates.
13:15 | Changing rooms ready
With Sebastián Coates’ jersey as a novelty in the locker room, Nacional showed that it already has its kit ready to face Peñarol, who, with Leo Fernández’s number 8 shining, also showed off its traditional attire.
