Pablo Peirano and Julián Millán lost another final on penalty kicks, this time in Uruguay.

Independiente Santa Fe fans are still experiencing glorious moments after the team earned its tenth star on June 29th, defeating Deportivo Independiente Medellín in the final.

Thanks to that crown, León's fans put behind them the pain of what happened a year ago, when, playing at home, they lost the title match of the 2024-I BetPlay League: they fell to Atlético Bucaramanga on penalty kicks.

Those who have yet to overcome that ghost are coach Pablo Peirano and defender Julián Millán, currently with Nacional de Montevideo. El Tricolor lost the final of the Uruguayan Intermediate Tournament this Sunday in a final against their arch-rival, Peñarol.

The title was decided, just like Bucaramanga's one year ago, on penalty kicks, 5-3, after 120 goalless minutes.

After nine Superclásicos played without a win, the Aurinegro team ended its losing streak with a trophy that began in 2017 and which it had so far failed to win.

In a match they dominated against an opponent whose star was Panamanian goalkeeper Liuis 'Manotas' Mejía, Diego Aguirre's team dominated in the details and was also fortunate enough to not escape unscathed in the final play of the match.

Strengthened by the speed of Pedro Milans and Javier Cabrera, Peñarol shifted their play to the right flank of the attack at the start of the match, thereby complicating matters for a Nacional side that was solid at the back.

The clearest chance for the Aurinegro came from the left side, when Maximiliano Olievera set up Cabrera, and his shot found a good response from Luis Mejía.

Leonardo Fernández and Maximiliano Silvera also brought the Aurinegro closer, although without much danger to the Panamanian goalkeeper, who returned from his time with the national team and replaced Ignacio Suárez.

Martín Campaña flew past what was supposed to be a goal by Sebastián Coates after a great header from the Tricolor captain following a corner kick taken by Nicolás López.

After that play, Pablo Peirano's team got closer to the opponent's goal, although also without much danger.

The first 45 minutes ended goalless, with each side receiving a yellow card for harsh fouls by Nahuel Herrera and Nico López. The remaining 75 minutes saw a flurry of other cards.

At the start of the second half, a free kick from Leo Fernández was neutralized by 'Manotas' Mejía, while Milans narrowly missed.

Nacional dominated the ball at various points, but were unable to convert their dominance into scoring opportunities, resulting in the second half also ending in a 0-0 draw and requiring extra time.

There, Peñarol had a very clear chance within minutes through David Terans, whose celebration was stifled by Mejía in a one-on-one. Rodrigo Pérez also brought the Aurinegros closer.

El Tricolor had the clearest chance on the final ball, when Olivera saved his team after Lucas Villalba had left Campaña behind and was ready to score into an empty net.

Fatigue won out over play, and the match ended in a tie, going straight to a penalty shootout, where Campaña leapt to save Gonzalo Carneiro's shot.

That save, combined with goals from Terans, Leo Fernández, Leonardo Coelho, Stiven Mulhetaler, and Leando Umpiérrez, gave Peñarol the title, breaking its losing streak in the Clásicos and taking revenge for what happened last season, when the same title slipped away from them against the same opponent on penalties.

Millán, who missed the final kick in the final between Santa Fe and Bucaramanga, did not kick this time.