Four years on from the tragic plane crash in which 71 people lost their lives, Chapecoense have clinched Brazil’s Serie B title
A last-gasp penalty helped Chapecoense seal the Brazilian Serie B title on goal difference on Friday, having secured their promotion earlier in the month.
A Panenka penalty from Anselmo Ramon completed a 3-1 win over Confianca, enough to see them overtake America-MG at the top of the table.
The victory sparked emotional scenes after full-time, as Alan Ruschel, one of just three Chape players to have survived the plane crash in which 71 people died four years ago, lifted the trophy.
Chapecoense has been en route to Medellin to face Atletico Nacional in the Copa Sudamericana final in November 2016 when their plane crashed into mountains. Of the 77 people on the aircraft, only six survived.
While teammates Helio Neto and Jakson Follmann also survived the catastrophe, Ruschel is the only one who is still playing, having recovered from a serious back injury to resume his career nine months later.
Ruschel was heard telling his children he loved them before lifting the trophy, with Chape going on an open-tip bus parade around the city of Chapeco soon after.
"Lucca, Marina. Papai ama vocês!"
Alan Ruschel, sobreviviente da tragédia com a Chapecoense, levanta a taça de campeão brasileiro! pic.twitter.com/YgRbguONAe— O Contra-Ataque (@o_contra_ataque) January 30, 2021
Despite operating on a far smaller budget than many of Brazil’s other top flight clubs, Chape’s rebuilt side remained in the country’s premier division until their relegation 13 months ago.
