Tanos and Diablos Rojos play the pivotal roles in determining Chile’s sole representative to advance from the CONMEBOL playoffs this season.
What began as a lopsided contest with no goals but a surge of anticipation for retribution, and a rain shower that forced the match from Thursday to Friday and from Concepción to Rancagua, set Audax Italiano and Ñublense on a mission to secure Chile’s only route into the Copa Sudamericana round of 16. The pressure carried extra weight after Colo Colo exited awkwardly in Belo Horizonte, intensifying the scrutiny on the Chilean clubs still alive in the continental campaign.
More: Chilean participation in Sudamericana 2023
Chile’s presence at South American club level has long looked delicate, a reality echoed by the struggles of the national team and domestic sides. Universidad Católica had already fallen from contention in the previous phase against Italian opponents, while the Red Devils’ Libertadores run did not manage to salvage a late return of representation from any Andean nation in the late rounds.
The O’Higgins region duel marked the third meeting between the teams this season. Audax Italiano had previously defeated Ñublense 5-2 in Chillán during the opening round of the top-flight league, with both squads pushing for a late momentum in a campaign where they clung near the bottom of the table.
The starting lineups, confirmed the day prior, framed a tense showdown under adverse weather conditions.
- Bayron Oyarzo delivered the opener that put Ñublense ahead, a precise strike in the 50th minute that signaled a dramatic second leg in the Sudamericana playoffs.
GOEEL OF #ÑUBLENSE!
Bayron Oyarzo threaded a flawless pass in the 50th minute and calmly steered the score to 1-0 in a standout performance for Ñublense in the second leg of the Sudamericana playoffs. The moment drew attention across Chile as fans anticipated further action. pic.twitter.com/jCbAEQc3hq
— ESPN Soccer Chile (@ESPNFutbolChile) July 21, 2023
These are the 11 cursive letters chosen to face @nublenseSADP ️#LaGranConquista #ForzaAudax
— Audax Italiano (@audaxitaliano) July 20, 2023
These are the Red Devils who will take the field on this rain-soaked afternoon ️ pic.twitter.com/woLGnLei1a
– Deportivo Ñublense (@nublenseSADP) July 20, 2023
Owing to the heavy rain, the match could not proceed on the originally scheduled date or venue. CONMEBOL decided to shift the fixture by 24 hours and move it to a different city to ensure better playing conditions.
Because of the rain in Concepción, the second leg of the CONMEBOL South American playoff between Audax Italiano and Ñublense was rescheduled to Friday, 7/21. pic.twitter.com/huIPY8KDFg
— South American CONMEBOL (@Sudamericana) July 21, 2023
The match between Audax Italiano and Ñublense was officially halted due to weather problems in Concepción. CONMEBOL announced revisions to the schedule through its channels, emphasizing the need to complete the fixture with safety in mind. #LaGranCoquista #ForzaAudax
— Audax Italiano (@audaxitaliano) July 21, 2023
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Source: Goal