Cobresal defeated Audax Italiano 2-1 in a Primera Liga match played in La Florida, with goals from Sergio Carrasco and Jorge Henríquez for the visitors, and Leonardo Valencia from the penalty spot for the hosts. This win allows the miners to reach 44 points and climb temporarily to third place. The victory further complicates Colo Colo's hopes of qualifying for the Copa Sudamericana.
The match started with Audax Italiano taking the initiative, pressing high and creating a clear chance in the 7th minute. Leonardo Valencia received a combined pass from Lautaro Palacios and Eduardo Vargas, but goalkeeper Alejandro Santander made a great save to keep the score at zero.
Cobresal settled into the game and opened the scoring in the 22nd minute. Cristopher Barrera sent a long diagonal pass from the right, allowing Sergio Carrasco to outmaneuver Oliver Rojas and finish crosswise for 1-0.
The hosts reacted, with Paolo Guajardo testing near the goal past the half-hour mark, but the ball went wide. However, a defensive error favored the visitors: in the 40th minute, Vicente Fernández crossed from the left, Esteban Matus handled the ball, and referee Gastón Philippe awarded a penalty. Jorge Henríquez converted it for 2-0.
In the second half, Juan José Ribera made three changes, including the substitutions of Eduardo Vargas and Oliver Rojas. Audax Italiano justified the adjustments in the 51st minute: a run by Leonardo Valencia led to a handball by César Yanis in the area, and Valencia scored from the penalty spot for 2-1.
The game gained intensity, but there were no more goals. Cobresal now has 44 points, matching Audax Italiano's 43, and sits temporarily in third place, nearing the Chile 3 spots for the Copa Libertadores. This result leaves Colo Colo with 35 points, seven behind Palestino in seventh, the last position for international cups like the Sudamericana.