The Mauricio Pellegrino-led squad missed a golden chance to top the standings after settling for a draw with Cementeros in Santa Laura.
University of Chile squandered a lead as La Calera held on for a point in Santa Laura on the opening seventh date of the 2023 National Championship. The Blues, coming off three consecutive wins, failed to remain atop the table and now share second place on the standings.
The opener came through Leandro Fernandez in the 23rd minute after a superb recovery by Federico Mateos. The former Independiente forward tucked a precise left shot into the far post, beating Omar Carabalí. It marked Fernandez’s third goal in his last four games, a run that also includes two assists. In the second half Cesar Perez struck for La Calera in the 62nd minute with a powerful right-footed shot from the center of the box, catching Cristóbal Campos off guard and restoring parity.
With this result, Universidad de Chile moved to 13 points, equal to the league leader Universidad Católica, who hosted Ñublense on Friday. La Calera climbed to 10 points, placing them in fourth. The Blues now prepare for the Superclásico clash against Colo Colo, hoping to end a skid against their rivals at the Monumental stadium.
It is noted that La Calera has not defeated the whites in Macul since September 9, 2001. Their most recent victory came on May 5, 2013, when Darío Franco’s side won 3-2 thanks to goals from Charles Aránguiz and a brace by Juan Ignacio Duma.
The Cementeros will travel to Deportes Copiapó at Luis Valenzuela Hermosilla seeking a return to winning ways after three straight results without three points.
The following sections provide team lineups, substitutions, and key moments from the match.
Final whistle. Universidad de Chile relinquished the lead and the top spot after drawing with La Calera in Santa Laura.
62nd minute goal by La Calera. Cesar Perez delivered a fierce cross from the center of the penalty area that Cristóbal Campos could not stop.
The second half is underway indeed!
45 minutes plus three. La Calera nearly took the lead through a well-orchestrated team move that began with a dribble by Dario Osorio and ended with a fierce shot by Federico Mateos that skimmed wide.
45 minutes plus one. Cristobal Campos produced a remarkable save from a powerful right-footed strike by Diego Buonanotte aimed at the near corner.
Farewell moment for a veteran captain. The club celebrated Pepe Rojas with expressions of gratitude from fans and teammates as leadership passed to younger players in attendance.
We applaud the captain for his service and the example he set on and off the pitch.
42nd minute. Leandro Fernandez surged in from outside the area to fire a left-footed shot that forced a save by Omar Carabalí in a moment of high drama.
31st minute. A VAR review denied a handball penalty as the referee overturned an initial decision.
29th minute. Rodrigo Carvajal’s VAR review considered a potential handball in the area by Hernán Lopes, with the decision leaning away from a penalty.
23rd minute. GOOOAL UNIVERSITY OF CHILE. A superb recovery by Federico Mateos set the stage for Leandro Fernández to score with a measured finish into the far post.
The ball is in motion in Santa Laura as Mauricio Pellegrino’s side seek a fourth consecutive victory to approach the upcoming clash with Colo Colo with confidence.
Confirmed lineups. University of Chile lines up with Cristóbal Campos; Yonathan Andia, Luis Casanova, Matias Zaldivia, Jose Castro; Emmanuel Ojeda, Federico Mateos; Israel Poblete, Darío Osorio; Leandro Fernandez and Nicolas Guerra.
There are 24 league clashes at home against The Blues, yielding 15 wins for the students, two wins for Cementeros, and seven draws. The clubs have faced each other 47 times in the top division, with 30 Universidad de Chile wins, seven La Calera victories, and 10 draws. The most recent meeting occurred on July 2, with a Chilean league win for the home side by a 2-1 score, thanks to goals from Darío Osorio and Bastián Tapia.
How both teams arrive in Santa Laura is a topic of discussion among supporters as they tune in to each new chapter of a long-standing rivalry.
Good evening. A detailed overview of the match between Universidad de Chile and La Calera for the seventh date of the 2023 National Championship is available here for fans and analysts alike.
Which post did you like the most?
- Real Betty
- sao paulo
- cremonese
- Ajax
- Burnley
14951 to vote
Thank you for voting
The results will appear shortly.
Which post did you like the most?
- 51%Real Betty
- eleven%sao paulo
- 5%cremonese
- 25%Ajax
- 7%Burnley
14951 to vote
Source: Goal