Universidad de Chile thrashed Ñublense 6-0 on Monday in Rancagua, in round 24 of the 2026 Primera League. The win left the Blues nine points behind Colo Colo, who lost 5-2 over the weekend to Coquimbo Unido, the reigning champions of Chilean football.
According to La Tercera, Colo Colo delivered a poor performance in the north. The defeat opened the door for their challengers with six matches remaining, meaning 18 points at stake.
La U settled the match early. Maximiliano Guerrero opened the scoring after 13 minutes from an Agustín Arce assist and completed his brace in the 37th minute. In first-half stoppage time, Ñublense defender Pablo Calderón was sent off.
With a player advantage, Fernando Gago's team kept attacking. Arce scored a superb goal in the 56th minute, and late goals from Gonzalo Reyna, Eduardo Vargas and Fabián Hormazábal completed the 6-0 scoreline, according to BioBioChile.
The sources differ on the Blues' points total. The table published by La Tercera shows La U with 42 points, while BioBioChile reports that they reached 45. Both outlets agree that the gap to Colo Colo, who have 54 points and a goal difference of +23, stood at nine points.
Universidad Católica are also entering the race. They have 42 points from 23 matches and still need to schedule their postponed game against Audax Italiano at Claro Arena. If they win, Católica could move within the same distance as the Blues.
Further back are Everton with 39, Palestino with 36 and Huachipato with 34. After the heavy defeat, Ñublense were tenth with 32 points and a goal difference of -9.
Colo Colo's fate remains in their own hands, but with a nine-point lead and 18 points at stake, any further slip will fuel the pursuit by La U and UC. The next key detail will be the date on which Católica play their game in hand against Audax Italiano.
