Cobreloa defeated San Marcos de Arica 3-1 in Calama, overturning the aggregate score to 4-3 and securing their spot in the Promotion Playoff final. The home team's goals came in a quick burst before halftime, propelling the Loa squad toward a return to the top flight. They will face Deportes Concepción in the decider.
The match at Estadio Zorros del Desierto began with tension and a scrappy game in the first 20 minutes, overshadowed by referee controversies. At the 33rd minute, following a VAR review confirming a penalty, Aldrix Jara opened the scoring for Cobreloa, leveling the aggregate score.
The home side's momentum surged quickly: at the 35th minute, Gerardo Navarrete capitalized on rebounds in the visitors' box to make it 2-0, highlighting San Marcos's defensive lapses. Before halftime, at the 41st minute, Jara added a volley for a 3-0 lead, completely turning the tie around.
In the second half, San Marcos pulled one back at the 65th minute via Augusto Barrios's header, injecting uncertainty into the closing stages. Cobreloa, however, managed the lead effectively, withstanding the pressure. In the dying moments, Ramón Fernández was sent off for San Marcos, sealing the Loa team's victory.
This result places Cobreloa, the orange-clad side, in the final against Deportes Concepción, who ousted Copiapó in a parallel matchup. The Calama outfit eyes a determined push for promotion to Chile's Primera División through the Liguilla.