Deportes Concepción achieved an epic promotion to the Primera División by defeating Cobreloa 3-2 in the return leg of the playoff final in Calama. The lilac team will return to the top tier after 18 years, thanks to goals from Nelson Sepúlveda and Joaquín Larrivey. The match was intense and decided in added time.
Deportes Concepción sealed their return to the Primera División with an agonizing 3-2 victory over Cobreloa at the Zorros del Desierto Stadium in Calama, in the return leg of the promotion playoff final. The first half showed initial intensity that waned, with Concepción opening the score in the 37th minute via a powerful shot from Nelson Sepúlveda to the near post, assisted by Josué Ovalle. Cobreloa pressed but failed to convert, including a free kick by Aldrix Jara cleared by Nicolás Araya in the 7th minute.
In the second half, Joaquín Larrivey extended the lead in the 52nd minute with a header from a corner, his 19th goal of the season. Cobreloa responded with a goal from Gustavo Gotti in the 77th minute via header, and equalized in the 85th with a penalty converted by Álvaro Delgado after a handball by Gillard. However, in added time (90+6), Sepúlveda scored the decisive goal with a first-time shot after a rebound from Romero, sealing the 3-2 and avoiding extra time.
The match followed a 1-1 draw in the first leg at the Ester Roa Rebolledo in Concepción, before 29,000 spectators. Concepción's coach Patricio Almendra was suspended, so Mario Salgado led the team. Cobreloa, coached by César Bravo, featured their attacking trio Jara-Gotti-Valdés, but Calama's altitude was not enough. A notable incident was Jonathan Espínola's injury, a left elbow dislocation, around the hour mark.
This promotion is the second consecutive for the León de Collao, who had not played in Primera since 2008 due to administrative issues. The victory brings joy to the Biobío Region.