In the closing moments, the blues managed to salvage a 1-1 draw with Albirrojo in Santa Laura, snapping a streak of four losses in a row and preserving a hard-earned point.
Universidad de Chile encounters a rough patch in the 21st round of the National Championship 2023, as Mauricio Pellegrino’s squad fights to steady the ship with a late equalizer against Curicó Unido, ending a sequence of four defeats at Santa Laura.
The team arrived at Independencia with the burden of rebound after a 2–5 defeat to O’Higgins, a result that left them outside the international competition places. They had not conceded more than four goals in a First Division match since April 2018 under coach Ángel Guillermo Hoyos, when a 6-1 loss to Unión La Calera was recorded.
Still, they were unable to clinch victory against Albirrojo, who took the lead in the 45th minute on a solitary finish by Federico Castro. The goal initially stood but a controversial decision later ruled out a potential infringement as Matías Zaldivia challenged Cristián Zavala, with the discount play emerging in the final action as To giveio Osorio forced a 90+7’ equalizer.
From the stands, the draw left the blues in eighth place on 30 points, their goal difference the sole separator from Unión Española, now occupying the last Copa Sudamericana position. Juan José Ribera’s teammates remained in the penultimate spot with 21 points, ahead of Magallanes (19) and Deportes Copiapó (18).
The next test for the blues, who have found the net 13 times across six matches in the second half of the season and are just one goal away from tying the first-round mark, will be against Cementeros at Nicolás Chahuán. That fixture is followed by a fresh edition of the Superclásico against Colo Colo, while the torteros host O’Higgins in La Granja.
The following graphs illustrate the teams’ composition, substitutions, and the key moments of the match.
THE BEST ACTIONS
⚽ 1-1, 90+7′, D. Osorio
Rather than a simple goal, it was described as a brilliant strike. Osorio curled a left-footed shot from a corner to pin the score at one apiece. The moment was widely shared by fans watching on TNT Sports Chile.
– TNT Sports Chile
❌ One less for the visitors
Joaquín González was sent off late for a reckless tackle, reducing Curicó Unido to ten men as the game drew to a close.
– TNT Sports Chile
❌ Another goal disallowed
The U was momentarily celebrated when the ball crossed the line, but the play was ruled offside, and the decision stood, keeping the score level for Curicó Unido.
– TNT Sports Chile
Almost the tie
Matías Zaldivia rose highest but his header narrowly missed. The effort signaled the host team’s late push for victory.
– TNT Sports Chile
⚽❌ There was a blue goal, but…
The on-field referee signaled offside after a late sequence involving Leandro Fernández, leaving the scoreline unchanged in the broadcast analysis.
– TNT Sports Chile
❌ ⚽ There is no fine!
The officials initially awarded a penalty to the blues, but VAR review overturned the decision and Curicó Unido advanced.
– TNT Sports Chile
⚽⚪ 0-1, 45′, F. Castro
Castro converted a precise penalty to give Curicó Unido the lead at Santa Laura, a moment captured in the highlight reels.
– TNT Sports Chile
⚽ It was a great goal!
The blue striker unleashed a powerful shot, but the Curicó goalkeeper produced a spectacular save to preserve the tie.
– TNT Sports Chile
⚪ Start by informing the visitor
The early approach from Curicó Unido looked solid, while the blues settled into a defensive rhythm as the match progressed.
– TNT Sports Chile
The confirmed formations!
Blue dominance persists in the 13 league games so far in the season. The U has secured seven wins and 25 goals, while Albirrojos have two wins and 16 goals. The record includes four draws. The most recent meeting prior to this encounter occurred on February 24, a 1-3 Laity victory in La Granja with Leandro Fernández, Federico Mateos, Nicolás Guerra scoring for the visitors and Diego Coelho replying for the home side.
THE MINUTE BY MINUTE STORY
SUMMARY AND STATISTICS
Source: Goal