Historic Promotion Sealed in Calama
Deportes Concepción has achieved a monumental feat, securing its return to Chile's Primera División after a 17-year absence. The 'Lilas' triumphed over Cobreloa in a dramatic Liguilla de Ascenso final, culminating in a 3-2 victory in the second leg and a 4-3 aggregate score. The decisive match took place on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at the Estadio Zorros del Desierto in Calama, Chile.
A Rollercoaster of Emotions
The final match was a thrilling encounter, living up to its billing as a high-stakes contest. Deportes Concepción initially took a commanding lead with goals from Nelson Sepúlveda in the 37th minute and Joaquín Larrivey in the 52nd minute, putting them 2-0 ahead in the second leg and 3-1 on aggregate. However, Cobreloa mounted a fierce comeback, with Gustavo Gotti scoring in the 77th minute and Álvaro Delgado converting a penalty in the 84th minute to level the score at 2-2. The 'Loínos' even hit the post multiple times, threatening to complete the turnaround.
Sepúlveda's Agonizing Decisive Goal
With the match seemingly headed for extra time, Nelson Sepúlveda emerged as the hero for Deportes Concepción. In the 96th minute (90+6') of injury time, Sepúlveda capitalized on a rebound to score his second goal of the match, securing the 3-2 victory and the coveted promotion. This dramatic late goal sparked jubilant celebrations among the 'Lilas' players and fans, who had traveled to Calama to witness the historic moment. The aggregate score of 4-3 reflected the tight contest, as the first leg had ended in a 1-1 draw.
End of a Challenging 17-Year Journey
The promotion marks the end of a challenging 17-year journey for Deportes Concepción to return to Chile's top flight. The club last played in the Primera División in 2008, after which it faced significant institutional and sporting difficulties, including a disaffiliation in 2016 that saw them compete in amateur leagues. Their resilience and determination have been widely praised, as they rebuilt the club from the ground up. This season's success is particularly sweet for the city of Concepción, as Universidad de Concepción also secured promotion, meaning two teams from the city will compete in the Primera División next season.
5 Comments
Africa
The dramatic nature of the 96th-minute winner certainly made for an exciting finish. But one wonders about the mental toll on players in such high-stakes, last-gasp situations, especially for the losing side.
Bermudez
It's wonderful to see them back after 17 years, especially given their past struggles. However, the real challenge begins now; staying in Primera División requires consistent financial and sporting stability, which they've historically lacked.
Habibi
This promotion is a fantastic achievement for Deportes Concepción and the city. Yet, the article highlights a 17-year absence, which points to underlying issues that hopefully have been resolved for long-term success in the top flight.
ZmeeLove
That 96th-minute goal was pure magic! Tears of joy for Deportes Concepción.
Comandante
The resilience shown by Deportes Concepción is truly commendable, coming back from disaffiliation. However, while celebrating this success, it's important to remember the fragile nature of football clubs and the continuous need for sound management to avoid past pitfalls.