Seven-up Católica demolish hapless Huachipato

Universidad Católica gained revenge for their shock Copa Chile exit at the hands of Huachipato with a thumping 7-1 win in the Clausura.

Las Condes – Relegation-haunted Huachipato beat the Cruzados 1-0 at home and 2-1 away to reach the Copa Chile final, but there was no chance of a repeat at San Carlos de Apoquindo.

Álvaro Ramos gave Católica the lead after just 20 seconds and they went on to run riot. Milovan Mirosevic doubled the advantage in the 40^th minute and returning hero Mark González marked his first start by bagging the third on the stroke of half-time.

Defender Enzo Andía made it 4-0 in the 51^st minute before David Llanos pulled one back for the shell-shocked visitors three minutes later. However, it was only a temporary reprieve for the acereros as Darío Botinelli (63), Ramos (71), with his second, and substitute Ramiro Costa completed the rout.

Second-placed Católica are three points behind leaders Colo Colo and look determined to make them fight all the way for the Clausura title.

Meanwhile, Palestino climbed to third place on the back of their exciting 3-2 win at Unión La Calera. Mario Berríos gave Unión the lead from the penalty spot in the 41^st minute, but it was in the second half that the game really took off.

Esteban Carvajal´s long-range effort brought the árabes level almost immediately and they went ahead when Miguel Escalona netted in the 56^th minute.

La Calera got back on terms courtesy of Pablo Vergara´s 67^th minute goal, but César Henríquez secured all three points for the visitors with a 78^th-minute winner. Unión´s Roberto Ávalos was sent off two minutes later.

Iquique moved up to fourth with a comfortable 3-1 win against Santiago Wanderers at Tierra de Campeones. The Dragones Celestes eased into a 3-0 lead with goals from Santiago Romero (pen), César Pinares and Gerson Martínez. Matias Mier netted a consolation for the visitors in the 84^th minute.

Universidad de Concepción drew 1-1 at home against Cobresal, while Audax Italiano earned an excellent 1-0 win at Antofagasta.

There are two matches today. Ñublense host O´Higgins (5pm) and Universidad de Chile entertain Everton (7.30pm).