Coquimbo Unido thrashed Colo Colo 5-2 this Sunday at Francisco Sánchez Rumoroso stadium in round 24 of the First Division League. El Cacique, seeking their 35th title, have now gone three rounds without a win in the competition.
According to La Tercera, the defeat denied the leaders a chance to extend their advantage. Universidad de Chile and Universidad Católica, their closest challengers, could move within nine points if they win their respective matches. Colo Colo had arrived in the Fourth Region with a 12-point lead.
The match went wrong for El Cacique from the outset, with an early goal conceded. Arturo Vidal pulled a goal back with a shot from outside the penalty area, a superb strike by the captain that TNT Sports Chile's account celebrated on X, although it was not enough to stop El Pirata. The Coquimbo side had lost three consecutive matches before this game.
In the mixed zone, the midfielder pointed to the league's pauses for FIFA international breaks, the windows reserved by the International Federation of Association Football for national team matches. "We've had about four preseasons and lost our rhythm a little," he said. He added that the frequent stoppages make things difficult for the team in front, concluding: "I think this only happens here in Chile."
Vidal also acknowledged his team's own shortcomings. He admitted that the team had been "very unfocused" and had tried to stay calm and keep possession, but that their opponents "knew exactly what they were doing" and took their chances. According to BioBioChile, he also congratulated Coquimbo and noted that several Colo Colo players had only just returned from national team duty.
On his future, the former international said Colo Colo had yet to approach him to negotiate a contract extension. His contract expires in December. "If you do well and play every match, the extension takes care of itself," he said.
El Cacique have six matches remaining to secure the title. "The 35th title is in our hands, and we won't let it slip away," Vidal said.
