Union Española Shakes Off Relegation Rust with Dominant Display Against Huachipato

The scoreline flattered Huachipato. What mattered was the statement.

Union Española, languishing in 15th place and staring at the precipice of relegation trouble, delivered their most complete performance of the season Sunday afternoon at Estadio Santa Laura, dismantling ninth-place Huachipato 4-2 in a match that was never as close as the final numbers suggested.

For a side that had won just five times in 23 matches this season, the three points felt like something more—a lifeline, perhaps, or at least a reminder that the campaign isn't beyond salvaging.

First-Half Masterclass

Union Española wasted little time asserting themselves. Franco Ratotti opened the scoring in the 17th minute, finishing a buildup that caught Huachipato's defense flat-footed and set the tone for what would become a dominant opening 45 minutes.

The hosts doubled their advantage just past the half-hour mark when Pablo Aránguiz found the net in the 39th minute, continuing his recent run of form. Aránguiz had been one of Union's few bright spots in a dismal campaign—he scored twice in their 3-4 loss to Audax Italiano last month and added another in a rare 2-2 draw with Deportes Iquique in August.

Then came Ignacio Jeraldino. On the stroke of halftime, the striker buried Union's third goal, sending the home supporters into delirium and Huachipato into the dressing room shell-shocked. For a team that had collected just 17 points all season, scoring three goals in a single half represented something of a minor miracle.

Brief Respite, Then Reality

The second half threatened to unravel Union's dominance. Leandro Altamirano converted from the penalty spot in the 61st minute, cutting the deficit to two and giving Huachipato a flicker of hope. The striker had been in fine form recently, scoring twice in Huachipato's 4-2 Copa Chile victory over Audax Italiano just days earlier.

But Jeraldino had other ideas. Three minutes after Altamirano's penalty, the Union striker struck again in the 64th minute, restoring the three-goal cushion and effectively ending any realistic hopes of a Huachipato comeback.

Cris Martínez added a second penalty for the visitors in the 72nd minute, but by then the result was already sealed. Huachipato never looked capable of mounting the sustained pressure necessary to threaten Union's lead.

Context and Consequences

The victory represented just Union Española's sixth win of the season—a paltry return from 23 matches that explains their position near the bottom of the table. Their recent form had been abysmal: four losses and a draw in their previous five league matches, including a humiliating 1-4 defeat at Universidad de Chile in August and a 0-2 loss at Universidad Católica later that month.

For Huachipato, the defeat continues a troubling slide. Despite sitting in ninth place with 31 points—nearly double Union's total—they've now lost three of their last four league matches. The 2-3 loss at Cobresal in September and the 0-1 defeat to Coquimbo Unido in August had already raised concerns about their second-half form.

Looking Ahead

Union Española remains in dire straits, sitting 15th with just 17 points from 23 matches. Mathematics still offers a path to safety, but with a record of 5-2-16, they'll need to replicate Sunday's performance far more consistently in the weeks ahead. This wasn't just about three points—it was about proving they still possess the quality to compete at this level.

For Huachipato, the loss exposes defensive vulnerabilities that could prove costly as they try to climb the table. Conceding four goals to a side as poor as Union Española raises uncomfortable questions about their organization and concentration. With the season entering its final stretch, they'll need answers quickly.

Sunday belonged to Union Española, a team desperate for any reason to believe. They found four of them.