The Blues equalized in White against the Legionnaires, who could not reclaim the lead.
In a tight draw that offered little football, Universidad de Chile extended their winless run to a second consecutive match after a quiet 0-0 against Cobresal in Santa Laura, on the fourteenth round of the 2023 National Championship.
For the hosts, this meeting presented a chance to regain ground in the race after a 2-1 defeat to Coquimbo Unido, which cost them a shot at staying atop the table. Yet there were no clear opportunities against the Legionnaires, who still owned an undefeated record against the Blues in five of their last six encounters.
The underdog had the clearest moment early, in the second minute, when Guillermo Pacheco headed at goal but Matías Zaldivia made a surgical clearance. The home side replied with a late first-half effort from Cristian Palacios, which sailed over the crossbar. After that early spark, the match slowed, and Cobresal made use of Darío Osorio’s red card moments later, with the referee Manuel Vergara confirming a double yellow that ultimately sent Pacheco off for a serious foul on Marcelo Morales, leveling the scene in a tense endgame.
Despite the setback, Mauricio Pellegrino’s side climbed to fifth in the standings with 22 points, six shy of leaders Huachipato. Cobresal, meanwhile, missed the chance to seize first place and settled in second with 27 points.
With a recess looming, Universidad de Chile was set to visit Ñublense at the Nelson Oyarzún Bicentennial, while Cobresal prepared to host Unión Española at El Cobre.
The following sections display the team lineups, substitutions, and the main incidents of the match, as captured by match trackers.
97′ Nery Domínguez nearly opened the scoring for the Blues with a powerful shot, but Leandro Requena was sharp to deny him from point-blank range. (Goal)
93′ Cobresal also finished with ten men as Guillermo Pacheco received a second yellow for a strong foul on Marcelo Morales and was sent off. (Goal)
90′ Jeison Fuentealba produced a fine strike from a cross by Juan Pablo Gómez, but Leandro Requena read it well and kept the score level.
74′ Universidad de Chile was reduced to ten players after a second yellow for Darío Osorio for a punch on Nelson Sepúlveda. Mauricio Pellegrino was also dismissed for protests as the match intensified. (Goal)
62′ Cecilio Waterman was cautioned multiple times and picked up his fifth yellow, which means a suspension for the first match of the second round against Uniat La Calera. (Goal)
55′ Cobresal had a chance when Cecilio Waterman released Gastón Lezcano, who fired a left-footed shot that Luis Casanova deflected for a corner and kept the game scoreless. (Goal)
25′ Cristian Palacios created danger with a cross for Israel Poblete, but the ball narrowly missed the target. (Goal)
19′ A handball by Nicolás Guerra inside the area resulted in an indirect free kick, a moment that warned of Cobresal’s attacking intent. (Goal)
2′ Cobresal’s first serious attempt came from Guillermo Pacheco’s header, but Matías Zaldivia was on hand to clear off the line. (Goal)
⚽❌⛏️ The miners signaled their intent early, and soon after Cobresal pressed again with a chance that Zaldivia stopped at the line. (Goal)
The ball was rolling in Santa Laura as the Blues sought to climb back toward the upper part of the table, while Cobresal aimed to push for the top slot that Huachipato held. Referee Manuel Vergara officiated the game. (Goal)
The two teams took the field with good tempo. The scene was set for a tense battle in Santa Laura, with the Blues hoping to reclaim momentum and Cobresal seeking to widen its lead in the table.
Confirmed formations: Universidad de Chile lined up Cristóbal Campos; Matías Zaldivia, Luis Casanova, Nery Domínguez; Juan Pablo Gómez, Renato Cordero, Israel Poblete, Marcelo Morales, Darío Osorio; Cristian Palacios and Nicolás Guerra. Cobresal started Leandro Requena; Guillermo Pacheco, Sebastián Silva, Francisco Alarcón, Marcelo Jorquera; Alejandro Camargo, Nelson Sepúlveda; Gastón Lezcano, Leonardo Valencia, Cesar Munder; and Cecilio Waterman. (Goal)
Cobresal holds a five-match unbeaten streak against Universidad de Chile in their recent meetings, including several ventures away from home. They had not fallen since September 2020 when the Blues won 2-1 at El Teniente with a late double by Joaquin Larrivey. The Blues had won the last ten visits to Santa Laura, and their most recent win at Cobresal’s ground came on July 20, 2014, by 3-1. (Goal)
Across their history in the top division, the two clubs have met 61 times with Universidad de Chile holding more wins and goals, while Cobresal has fewer wins but a recent run of tight matches. The latest meeting before this one was a 3-4 Cobresal triumph in Talcahuano, with goals from Emmanuel Ojeda, Bastián Tapia, and Mauricio Morales for Cobresal and a Waterman hat trick plus a goal from Francisco Alarcón for the Blues. (Goal)
This is how both clubs arrived at Santa Laura for the clash. Good evening. GOAL provides a detailed look at Universidad de Chile against Cobresal on the fourteenth round of the National Championship. (Goal)
Source: Goal (Goal)