Universidad de Concepción secured promotion back to Chile's Primera División with a 3-0 win over Deportes Copiapó in the final Liga de Ascenso match. Coached by Cristián Muñoz, the team claimed the championship in a tense game marred by late incidents. After five years in the second tier, the Campanil returns to the top flight with a revamped project.
At Copiapó's Luis Valenzuela Hermosilla Stadium, Universidad de Concepción and Deportes Copiapó arrived tied at 52 points, but the visitors prevailed with goals from Luis Rojas in the 31st minute, Jeison Fuentealba late in the match, and Ignacio Herrera from a penalty in the 88th. Played only with local fans, the game was halted by a brawl after the final goal, with supporters invading the pitch and Carabineros intervening.
Cristián Muñoz, known as 'La Nona', celebrated his first title as coach: “We reached the top of Everest, where the oxygen runs out, where we had to work as a team and overcome obstacles”. His contract ends this Saturday, but he left open the chance of renewal, dedicating the promotion to his family and fans who couldn't attend.
Defender Osvaldo González, 41, broke down in tears: “I'm very happy for the group. We made a tremendous effort and thank God we became champions”. The captain, a club symbol, expressed his wish to play one more year and inspired teammates like Herrera, who praised him: “Osvaldo inspires us. Age is just a number”.
This marks the Campanil's third promotion to Primera, after 2002 and 2013. Owned by Rimoun Hanouch since September 2023, the club has invested over US$1 million in infrastructure and professional management, turning a struggling project into a successful contender.
