Atletico Nacional edge out Chapecoense in Recopa Sudamericana final

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:44 am

Atletico Nacional were crowned Recopa Sudamericana champions on Wednesday with a 4-1 victory -- and 5-3 aggregate win -- over Brazilian side Chapecoense.

It was a bittersweet night for both teams as Chapecoense returned to Medellin for the first time since last November's plane crash that killed 71 people -- mostly staff and players from the small club from southern Brazil -- on their way to play Nacional in the 2016 Copa Sudamericana final.

Atletico Nacional players celebrate after scoring a goal against Chapecoense in the Recopa Sudamericana.
Atletico Nacional players celebrate after scoring a goal against Chapecoense in the Recopa Sudamericana.
Getty Images

Two goals each from Andres Ibarguen and Dayro Moreno gave the hosts an unassailable lead, but the warmest applause of the night was saved for Tulio de Melo, who bagged a consolation goal for Chapecoense in the 82nd minute.