Colo Colo secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Ñublense in Chillán, courtesy of a second-half goal by Vicente Pizarro. The capital side edged closer to qualification for the Copa Sudamericana, though they remain seven points behind Palestino. The match featured an ejection for the home team and key saves by goalkeeper Nicola Pérez.
The match took place in Chillán, where Ñublense hosted a desperate Colo Colo fighting for points to secure a spot in the Copa Sudamericana, the continent's second-most important tournament. Early on, the game was even: in the 7th minute, Patricio Rubio forced a superb save from Colo Colo's goalkeeper, while in the 20th, Javier Correa nearly scored with a subtle shot that grazed the post.
The first half ended 0-0 after 45+3 minutes, briefly delayed by an issue with the officials' intercom. In the second half, Colo Colo took control. At the 54th minute, Lucas Cepeda assisted Vicente Pizarro, who slotted the ball precisely into the post for the 1-0 lead.
Ñublense was hit hard at the 62nd minute when Carlos Labrín was sent off for a hard tackle on Cepeda's ankle following a VAR review. Despite playing with one man down, Nicola Pérez kept his team in it by deflecting Correa's shot onto the post in the 59th and stopping the Argentine's effort in the 75th, plus a rebound from Cepeda. In the 81st, Pérez again shone by saving a header from Pizarro.
Colo Colo picked up yellow cards with Jonathan Villagra (56th), Tomás Alarcón (33rd), and Víctor Felipe Méndez (82nd, suspended for the next match against Unión Española). For Ñublense, Patricio Rubio (27th), Nicola Pérez (39th), and Bernardo Cerezo (41st) were booked for protesting. The win keeps the whites' hopes alive, though they trail Palestino by seven points.