CSD Antofagasta delivered one of their most emphatic performances of the CHI Liga de Ascenso season, dismantling Curicó Unido 4-0 at the Estadio Regional Calvo y Bascuñán on October 26, 2026. The home side blended aggressive pressing with clinical finishing to claim all three points and reinforce their promotion ambitions in Chile’s second tier.

A dominant display from the first whistle

Antofagasta set the tone immediately, pressing Curicó Unido high up the pitch and forcing the visitors into a series of hurried clearances. The home side’s midfield controlled the rhythm of the game, switching play quickly and creating overloads in wide areas. Curicó Unido attempted to sit compact and frustrate their hosts, but the plan unraveled once Antofagasta found the opening goal.

From that point, the match became a test of Antofagasta’s patience and precision. They passed the test convincingly, adding a second goal before half-time and then managing the second period with maturity. Curicó Unido rarely threatened the home goal, and Antofagasta’s clean sheet was as much a product of their defensive discipline as their attacking quality.

Key moments that decided the match

The breakthrough arrived in the 12th minute when Matías Fredes finished a flowing move from close range. Antofagasta doubled their advantage in the 38th minute through Bastián Nieto, whose low strike from the edge of the box beat the Curicó goalkeeper after a neat lay-off. The third goal came early in the second half, with Diego Orellana converting a quick transition after Curicó Unido lost possession in midfield.

• 12' — Matías Fredes opens the scoring after a patient build-up.
• 38' — Bastián Nieto doubles the lead with a precise low finish.
• 57' — Diego Orellana makes it 3-0 on a fast counter-attack.
• 82' — Fredes converts a penalty to complete his brace and seal the 4-0 win.

Tactical story: pressure, width and quick transitions

Antofagasta’s tactical approach was clear from the opening minutes. Their front line pressed Curicó Unido’s center-backs, while the midfielders pushed forward to close the passing lanes into central areas. That pressure forced Curicó into long balls, which Antofagasta’s defenders comfortably dealt with before launching another attack.

In possession, Antofagasta used width effectively. The full-backs advanced high, stretching Curicó’s back line and creating space for the forwards to drift into dangerous positions. The home side also excelled in transition, turning defensive recoveries into scoring chances within seconds. Curicó Unido, by contrast, struggled to sustain possession and were often caught with too many players ahead of the ball when attacks broke down.

Standout players

Matías Fredes was the headline performer, scoring twice and constantly troubling Curicó’s defense with his movement. Bastián Nieto controlled the midfield and capped his performance with a well-taken goal, while Diego Orellana added pace and directness on the flank. Goalkeeper Tomás Rojas maintained concentration throughout and recorded a deserved clean sheet, making one important save early in the second half when the score was still 2-0.

What the result means for the Liga de Ascenso table

The victory strengthens Antofagasta’s position in the upper reaches of the Liga de Ascenso standings and sends a clear message to their promotion rivals. A 4-0 home win adds momentum and improves the team’s goal difference, which could prove valuable in a tightly contested race. For Curicó Unido, the defeat is a setback that leaves them searching for consistency, particularly away from home.

Match facts

• Competition: CHI Liga de Ascenso
• Result: CSD Antofagasta 4-0 Curicó Unido
• Date: October 26, 2026
• Venue: Estadio Regional Calvo y Bascuñán, Antofagasta
• Goals: Fredes (12', 82' pen.), Nieto (38'), Orellana (57')