Antofagasta and Santa Cruz Share the Points in Hard-Fought Ascenso Draw

CSD Antofagasta and Deportes Santa Cruz drew 1-1 in the Chilean Liga de Ascenso on May 25, 2026. The match at the Estadio Regional Calvo y Bascuñán featured an early goal from the home side and a spirited fightback from the visitors, leaving both teams with a point apiece.

First-Half Action

Antofagasta started aggressively and took the lead in the 8th minute. A quick passing move through midfield unlocked the Santa Cruz defense, allowing the forward to fire low past the goalkeeper. The home side continued to press, but Santa Cruz grew into the game and began to create chances of their own. They equalized just before the half-hour mark (27th minute) when a corner was flicked on at the near post and headed in at the back post.

Second-Half Battle

The second half was a scrappy affair with both midfields contesting fiercely. Chances were limited as defenses tightened. Antofagasta came closest to winning it when a free kick from 25 yards struck the crossbar in the 74th minute. Santa Cruz also had a goal disallowed for offside late on. The match ended with both teams seemingly content with a draw after a hard-working performance.

Key Stats

• Possession: Antofagasta 52% – Santa Cruz 48%
• Shots on target: 4 each
• Corners: Antofagasta 7 – Santa Cruz 5
• Yellow cards: 2 each

Standout Players

Antofagasta’s goalscorer showed sharp instincts in the box, while Santa Cruz’s central defender made several vital interceptions. Both goalkeepers had relatively quiet nights but made important saves when called upon. The midfield battle was won by Santa Cruz’s captain, who covered a lot of ground.

Liga de Ascenso Context

The draw keeps Antofagasta in the middle of the Ascenso table, still within touching distance of the top half. Santa Cruz remain near the relegation zone but earned a valuable point away from home. The result reflects the parity in Chile’s second division, where no team can afford a poor run of form.