This time there was no feat. There were no heroes. There was no epic. Neither unwavering faith nor prayers nor anything helped. This time Santa Fe was left without strengthwithout football and without miracles. Vasco da Gama imposed his rhythm, won 2-0 at homein the second leg of the quarterfinals, and qualified for the semi-final of the South American Cup. Santa Fe was knocked out.
If there were nerves, well, of course, the stage, the Rio fans and the events of the tournament intimidate anyone, even the ferocious lions. Maybe that’s why Santa Fe hesitated at the startas if absorbed by that atmosphere. But the nerves subsided. Santa Fe quickly remembered that it is usually armored for these environments. He had already done it against River PlateWhat more proof did they need? So The Bogotá team began to gain confidencehe stood better on the court and showed that he had claws.
Basque vs. Santa Fe. Photo:AFP
The lion caressed the goal, he saw it arrive—how many Santafereños wouldn’t shout it?—, it was when at 18 minutes Hugo Rodallega captured a rebound on the goalkeeper’s premises and took his shot, without imagining that Jardim, the same one who was a figure in Bogotáhe was going to react and use agile hands to deflect the ball. Hugo was stung. A minute later he took a free kick and ordered the ball to go, now, into the net, but it, confused, preferred to go over the crossbar. In 20 minutes Santa Fe already looked bettermore comfortable, more challenging.
Basque vs. Santa Fe. Photo:AFP
And it was there, right there, when the game fell on him. Vasco until then seemed harmless, but this rival is one of those who does not forgive mistakes. At 36 minutes, Santa Fe failed: allowed an attack on the right, Emerson was injured and left the way clear for Alan to center right where Daniel Torres was left watching how Bruno Duarte anticipated him and took the volley to beat Marmolejo and put the 1-0. It wasn’t just a goal, it was a slap in the face.
Basque vs. Santa Fe. Photo:AFP
The lions lowered their heads for a moment, not knowing where to look or how to react. They remembered how difficult it is to get up when you fall on such an adverse field. But as they had already done at the Monumental, they had a dose of confidence. Repetto made an immediate changeLovera by Emerson. The first half didn’t have much more.
Basque vs. Santa Fe. Photo:AFP
In the second part Santa Fe gave itself over to imprecision. They were lions with the look of wanting to attack, but they didn’t attack. And time was a single maddening tick. Vasco was approaching the second, Marmolejo stopped a couple of missiles, but at 64 he could no longer stop a header from Davidwho was alone, very alone…
The match was consumed and when it was about to end, Santa Fe only had the strength to count to 10, like in boxing, to really feel defeated and eliminated from the Sudamericana.
PABLO ROMERO
SPORTS Editor
@PabloRomeroET
