Nacional currently has 78 points, while Peñarol is three points behind, with only three matches left to play. In the final round, a draw will be enough for 'Tricolor' to secure the accumulated table. However, if they lose and Peñarol wins, both teams will have to play a final.
In other matches from the penultimate round, Montevideo Wanderers secured a crucial point in the battle against relegation by drawing 2-2 with Boston River on Friday. Additionally, Montevideo City Torque crushed Progreso 5-0 away from home, and Juventud de Las Piedras narrowly defeated Liverpool in games played on Saturday.
Peñarol was crowned champion of the Torneo Clausura after defeating Defensor Sporting 2-1 at Campeón del Siglo stadium on Sunday. This secured their spot in the Uruguayan League semi-finals and made the Annual Accumulated Table highly competitive.
Left-back Lucas Hernández became the hero for 'Aurinegro' by scoring the goals at 45' and 55', allowing the team, coached by Diego Aguirre, to come back from an early goal by Defensor Sporting's striker, Diego Abreu.
With this victory, Peñarol, featuring Argentine Eric Remedi, reached 32 points and can no longer be caught by anyone, considering that with only one round remaining, Montevideo City Torque is 5 points behind and Nacional is 6 points behind.
How is the 2025 champion in Uruguay decided? 'Aurinegro' advanced to the semi-finals of the Uruguayan League, where they will face Liverpool, who won the Torneo Apertura in the first half of the season.
On this Sunday, River Plate and Miramar Misiones drew 1-1, and Danubio defeated Racing 2-1.
On Monday, Plaza Colonia will face Cerro Largo with a must-win situation. The winner of that match will secure a spot in the final against the winner of the Annual Accumulated Table, which currently has no champion.
This is because on Saturday, Nacional missed another opportunity to win by drawing their second consecutive match. Lucas Hernández, author of two goals, became the hero for 'aurinegro', allowing the team to come back against 'Defensor Sporting' at a packed Campeón del Siglo.
In the debut of new coach Jadson Viera, 'Tricolor' drew 0-0 with Cerro.
If they fail to do so, 'Patablanca' will be relegated, just as River Plate and Miramar Misiones already have been.
