Huachipato reach first Copa Chile final

Jubiliant Huachipato are celebrating reaching the Copa Chile final for the first time in their history after knocking out favourites Universidad Católica.

Las Condes – Although the acereros went into the semi-final second leg holding a 1-0 advantage, Católica were still fancied to win through to the final.

However, it was Huachipato who struck the first blow in front of around 8,000 fans in San Carlos de Apoquindo when Felipe Reynero scored in the 17th minute to double their aggregate advantage.

Católica gave themselves a lifeline when José Luis Muñoz levelled things up with a solo effort in the 73rd minute. After that, the Cruzados piled forward in search of the second goal that would have brought them level on aggregate and led to a penalty shoot-out.

However, Huachipato held firm in defence and clinched their place in the final in stoppage time when David Llanos kept his cool to net the winner.

Delighted manager Mario Salas, who has brought a new attacking style to Huachipato since taking over for the Clausura, said: “It’s stimulating to win in an arena like this and we hope to win as locals in the home leg of the final.”

While the acereros have shone in the cup, they´ve had a terrible time in the league over the last six months. They finished bottom of the Apertura and are currently 15th in the Clausura. It means they are last in the accumulated table and in danger of being relegated if they don´t improve their results quickly.

In the final, Huachipato will meet either Iquique or Unión San Felipe. Primera Division Iquique are the big favourites to join them. They beat Primera B side San Felipe 2-0 away in the first leg of their semi-final. The second leg takes place tonight.

The winners of the competition earn a place in this year´s Copa Sudamericana.

Meanwhile, Universidad de Chile face a pivotal match in their season tonight. They visit Paraguayan side Guaraní in the Copa Libertadores holding a 1-0 lead from the first leg in Santiago.

The winners of the tie advance to Group 5 of the Libertadores and will line up against Cruzeiro (Brazil), Defensor Sporting (Uruguay) and Real Garcilaso (Peru).

Unión Española now know the full make up of their Copa Libertadores group. They will meet San Lorenzo de Almagro (Argentina), Independiente del Valle (Ecuador) and Botafogo (Brazil).

Botafogo booked their place in Group 2 last night by beating Ecuador´s Deportivo Quito 4-0, triumphing 4-1 on aggregate.