In matchday 7 of the Primera División, Junior faced off against Bucaramanga on Monday. The match took a turn at the 14-minute mark of the second half when Faber Gil Mosquera scored, putting Bucaramanga in the lead with a score of 1-0. However, the home team rallied back thanks to Steven Rodríguez, who emerged as the hero with two crucial penalties converted in the 43rd and 58th minutes, leading Junior to a spectacular comeback and ultimately a 2-1 victory.
Faber Gil Mosquera electrified the stadium with his left-footed strike, which nestled into the bottom-left corner after receiving a precise assist from Fabián Sambueza—a shot that left the Junior goalkeeper helpless.
Earlier in the match, Junior’s forward Guillermo Paiva had the opportunity to put his team ahead but missed a penalty in the 53rd minute of the second half.
Steven Rodríguez was the standout player of the match, scoring two goals and firing two shots on target.
Another vital player for Junior’s defense was Edwin Herrera, who made significant contributions by clearing two dangerous balls from the box.
Under the tactical guidance of coach Alfredo Arias, Junior set up in a 4-5-1 formation with Mauro Silveira in goal; Edwin Herrera, Javier Báez, Jermein Peña, and Yeison Suárez in defense; Guillermo Celis, Carlos Esparragoza, Yimmi Chará, Jesús Rivas, and Bryan Castrillón in midfield; and Guillermo Paiva leading the attack.
On the other side, Bucaramanga’s coach Leonel Álvarez deployed a similar 4-5-1 formation, with Aldair Quintana in goal; Bayron Duarte, José García, Jefferson Mena, and Carlos de las Salas in defense; Gustavo Charrupi, Aldair Zárate, Faber Gil Mosquera, Fabián Sambueza, and Kevin Londoño in midfield; and Luciano Pons as the striker.
The match referee, José Ortiz Novoa, officiated the game expertly.
In their next fixture, Junior will travel to face Millonarios, while Bucaramanga will host Águilas Doradas Rionegro at Estadio Américo Montanini.
Following this result, Junior occupies the top spot in the standings with 17 points, while Bucaramanga sits in twelfth place with 7 points.
Junior Substitutions
45’ 2T – Bryan Castrillón for John Salazar, Jesús Rivas for José Enamorado
65’ 2T – Carlos Esparragoza for Steven Rodríguez
71’ 2T – Guillermo Paiva for Teófilo Gutiérrez
89’ 2T – Edwin Herrera for Jhomier Guerrero
Yellow Cards for Junior
25’ 2T – José Enamorado (Unsportsmanlike conduct)
Bucaramanga Substitutions
73’ 2T – Kevin Londoño for Carlos Romaña
81’ 2T – Fabián Sambueza for Jhon Vásquez, Aldair Zárate for Leonardo Flores
Yellow Cards for Bucaramanga
35’ 1T – Luciano Pons (Unsportsmanlike conduct), 25’ 2T – Faber Gil Mosquera (Unsportsmanlike conduct), 36’ 2T – Aldair Zárate (Unsportsmanlike conduct), 45’ 2T – Leonardo Flores (Unsportsmanlike conduct), 48’ 2T – Jhon Vásquez (Unsportsmanlike conduct)
Red Card for Bucaramanga
54’ 2T – Leonardo Flores (Second yellow card)