The Crusaders endured a tough afternoon in Florida, fighting their way into the North Center round of 16 and earning a place among the eight teams in their region.
After leaving Real San Joaquín on Friday, Santiago Wanderers prepared to face Universidad Católica. The qualifier, settled on penalties after a heated clash that echoed through the stands, marked a dramatic qualification for the North Central Zone of the 2023 Copa Chile. The narrative highlighted a tense moment between the teams and the performance of Junior Bórquez, who emerged as a standout figure under pressure.
The Iquiqueño goalkeeper faced a relentless barrage, reaching for crosses and risking injury while trying to keep his side in the tie. Yet a precise header from Fernando Zampedri, who is chasing history and reminded some of Beto Acosta, found the back of the net in the 98th minute. It came after Matías Dituro’s uncertain touch on a back pass and a quick-than-anyone-burst from Bastián Arraño, who sped through the defense before the ball crossed the line.
The match then went to penalties after a headline-filled 90 minutes that left fans on the edge. Zampedri’s precision was complemented by teammates Franco Di Santo, Alfonso Parot, and Alexander Aravena, who all converted their spot-kicks. Alans Yáñez and Pablo Violante also stepped up, while Dituro saved Isaac Paredes’s attempt and Diego Ganga scored to push UC into a 4-2 advantage in the shootout, despite Colina looming as one final threat. The clock showed 30 seconds left when Colina’s hopes looked dashed, yet the match swung decisively in UC’s favor as they closed out the ordeal with last-minute composure. The relentless effort from Católica’s group paid off, turning a struggle into a moment of triumph as the clock wound down.
The Crusaders rejoined the competition after a two-week gap of friendlies, balancing a win over La Serena with a recent defeat to Deportes Temuco. The coaching staff, led by Ariel Holan, used the window to test starting options ahead of the upcoming clash with Colo Colo on the 15th, as they prepared for the classic South American derby schedule.
“To the Tribune!” exclaimed Diego Ganga as he sent a soaring ball into the clouds, signaling a Universidad Católica victory. A chorus of goals followed, highlighting UC’s edge in the shootout and the nerve-wracking drama of the closing minutes.
Moments on the field captured the turning point. Alexander Aravena’s clever finish unsettled Bórquez with a well-placed strike, while Pablo Violante’s high shot skimmed past Dituro but found the target in a moment of misfortune for the goalkeeper. Parot delivered a powerful central strike, while Dituro momentarily parried a shot, only to concede again before the end of regulation time. Franco Di Santo delivered a crucial goal that swung the tie back toward Católica, and Alans Yáñez’s thunderous shot brought the game to life in the dying seconds as Dituro shifted left in anticipation. Fernando Zampedri’s late cross-shot sealed the 1-0 scoreline and extended the drama into the penalty phase.
The final sequence was a blend of patience and precision. Colina pressed hard, testing the defense and the goalkeeper, but the day belonged to Católica, which stood tall and claimed the win when penalties were resolved in their favor. The referee’s whistle confirmed the result and the field erupted in a mix of relief and celebration as the clock neared its end.
Across the board, the performances underscored the intensity of Copa Chile’s knockouts. The Crusaders capitalized on opportunities—fighting through physical play, adapting to changing tempos, and demonstrating resilience when pressure intensified. In the end, UC’s execution in high-pressure moments, both during regulation and in the shootout, proved decisive as they moved on to the next stage of the tournament.
Matías Dituro returned to action with renewed purpose, standing tall when needed and guiding his defense through a challenging match. Bórquez’s earlier heroics were acknowledged, but Católica’s late-game surge, led by Zampedri and Di Santo, tipped the balance in their favor and left the crowd buzzing with the thrill of a classic cup tie.
Everything pointed toward a north-south schedule that continues to shape the season. The pathway to glory remains open for Católica, and the team’s supporters will be watching closely as the campaign advances toward the premier fixtures of the year.
Source: Goal