Ñublense 2–2 Curicó Unido | Chilean Cup | 6 July 2026

Ñublense and Curicó Unido played out an entertaining 2–2 draw in the Chilean Cup at the Estadio Nelson Oyarzún, leaving the tie finely balanced ahead of the return leg. Both sides showed ambition and attacking quality in a match that delivered drama from start to finish.

Match Overview

The home side started brightly and took the lead in the 15th minute when winger Mario Sandoval curled a free kick around the wall and into the top corner. Ñublense’s high press forced Curicó into errors, and they doubled their advantage in the 33rd minute through a clinical finish from striker Pablo Rodríguez after a defensive mix‑up.

Curicó Unido, however, refused to wilt. Just before the break, they pulled one back when a corner was headed home by Diego Herrera – a vital goal that shifted momentum. In the second half, Curicó grew in confidence and equalised in the 68th minute through a speculative long‑range effort from midfielder Francisco Tapia that took a deflection.

Key Moments

• 15′ – Mario Sandoval (Ñublense) scores a beautiful free kick, 1–0.
• 33′ – Pablo Rodríguez (Ñublense) makes it 2–0 after a defensive error.
• 45+2′ – Diego Herrera (Curicó Unido) heads home from a corner, 2–1.
• 68′ – Francisco Tapia’s deflected shot restores parity, 2–2.

Tactical Story

Ñublense came out in a 4‑2‑3‑1 with high pressing and wide overloads, which worked brilliantly for the first 35 minutes. Curicó Unido, in a 4‑4‑2, struggled to keep possession initially. But after Herrera’s goal, they shifted to a more direct style, bypassing the midfield with long balls to target men. The equaliser came from a set‑piece‑esque situation, showing their growing threat from dead‑ball situations.

Standout Players

• Mario Sandoval (Ñublense) – Winger with a goal and dangerous crosses.
• Diego Herrera (Curicó Unido) – Crucial header at the end of the first half.
• Francisco Tapia (Curicó Unido) – Lively midfield performance capped with a goal.

Tie Overview

With the away goals rule still in effect in the Chilean Cup, Curicó Unido leave Ñublense with a valuable draw and two away goals. The second leg promises to be an open affair, with both teams knowing a win would send them through to the next round. Ñublense will rue their failure to hold a two‑goal lead, while Curicó showed the resilience of a side with cup‑run ambitions.