Coquimbo Unido beat Unión La Calera 2-0 to claim the Primera División title for the first time in its 67-year history. The match, attended by 18,000 fans at Francisco Sánchez Rumoroso stadium, featured goals from Cecilio Waterman and Benjamín Chandía. Coach Esteban González, a Chilean, lifted the trophy after nine years without a local manager winning the national tournament.
On November 2, 2025, Coquimbo Unido made history by defeating Unión La Calera 2-0 in matchday 26 of the Primera División. Under Esteban González since April 2024, the aurinegro side reached 65 points with four games left, exceeding 80% performance and securing 14 straight wins. This victory positions the club as the 17th different champion in Chilean top-flight history and the first new winner since Cobresal in 2015.
The match started tensely, but Cecilio Waterman scored in the 20th minute, finishing a cross from Juan Cornejo. Before halftime, La Calera's Christopher Díaz was sent off for aggression against Martín Mundaca following a VAR review. In the second half, Benjamín Chandía made it 2-0 at the 75th with a low shot. A free kick from Matías Palavecino in the 86th was disallowed for offside, but the title was secure.
González, famed for his work ethic ('Trabaja como Chino'), dedicated the achievement to his family and players: 'These players are tremendous. They are fair champions.' Panamanian scorer Waterman emphasized team unity: 'This team is characterized by union. I worked humbly and it showed on the pitch.' Palavecino, a standout with 4 goals and 7 assists, saw it as redemption: 'No one imagined we would become champions in a region that's always hard to win in'.
Historically, Coquimbo finished runner-up in 1991 and reached the 2005 final, but this crown vindicates Chilean coaches, absent from national titles since Mario Salas in 2016. The Huemul de Plata now graces the pirates' trophy cabinet, ensuring a spot in the 2026 Copa Libertadores.
