Cobresal 2–2 Cobreloa
Chilean Cup – Round of 16, First Leg | July 6, 2026

A pulsating derby of the north ended all square as Cobresal and Cobreloa played out a 2‑2 thriller at the Estadio El Cobre. The result leaves the tie wide open ahead of the second leg in Calama next week.

Match Overview

The match started at a ferocious pace, with both sides pressing high. Cobresal took the lead in the 11th minute when Jorge Araya latched onto a through ball and finished coolly. Cobreloa responded quickly through a set‑piece header from Mauricio Donoso in the 27th minute.

In the second half, Cobresal regained the lead via a stunning long‑range strike from Carlos Sepúlveda in the 63rd minute. However, Cobreloa showed resilience once more, equalizing in the 79th minute through a penalty converted by Felipe Zúñiga after a controversial handball decision.

Key Moments

• 11' – Goal Cobresal: Araya’s clinical finish gave the home side an early advantage.
• 27' – Equalizer: Donoso’s powerful header from a corner leveled the scores.
• 63' – Goal Cobresal: Sepúlveda’s thunderbolt from 25 meters seemed to put Cobresal in control.
• 79' – Penalty: Zúñiga stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to make it 2‑2.
• 90+3' – Late drama: Cobresal had a goal disallowed for offside, sparking heated protests.

Tactical Story

Cobresal dominated possession but were too often forced wide. Cobreloa’s compact 4‑4‑2 shape frustrated the home attack, while their quick transitions caused problems. The visitors’ set‑piece effectiveness was a key factor, as both of their goals came from dead‑ball situations.

Standout Players

• Carlos Sepúlveda (Cobresal): His goal was a candidate for goal of the round, and his energy in midfield drove his team forward.
• Felipe Zúñiga (Cobreloa): Calm from the spot and industrious throughout, he was a constant threat.

Season Impact

The draw means everything is still to play for in the second leg. Cobreloa will be favorites playing at home, but Cobresal’s away‑goal advantage could prove crucial. The winner of this tie will face either Palestino or O’Higgins in the quarter‑finals.