MONTEVIDEO, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Penarol won their 51st Uruguayan top-flight championship on Tuesday by beating Plaza Colonia 8-7 on penalties after the sides drew their semifinal 1-1 after 120 minutes.

Argentine midfielder Nico Gaitan converted the decisive spot-kick after Emilio Zeballos missed with his team's ninth attempt in their playoff.

Renzo Lopez had given Plaza Colonia the lead by converting a 35th-minute penalty before Facundo Torres equalized on the stroke of halftime.

The result at Estadio Centenario hands Penarol a place in the group stage of next year's Copa Libertadores, South America's premier club competition.

"I have to thank the players, who were very humble and managed to execute our game plan to perfection," a jubilant Penarol manager Mauricio Larriera said.

The duel pitted Uruguay's 2021 Apertura tournament winners Plaza Colonia against Clausura champions Penarol.

The latter secured the title without the need for a final by virtue of having the best aggregate results in 2021. Enditem

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