Deportes Iquique saw off Deportes Limache 3:1 in the sixth match of the Chile Cup group stage on Thursday evening. The hosts took the lead just after the restart through B. Barrera, then rode the momentum through a second-half surge that Limache could not contain. A late red card for A. Aguirre made sure the visitors had nothing left to fight for.
Barrera broke the deadlock in the 46th minute, capitalising on a moment of space after the break. Venezia doubled the advantage six minutes later, latching onto a loose ball inside the area. Arturia added a third in the 66th minute, and the game was effectively over by then. Barrera sealed his brace himself in the 80th minute before being replaced.
Limache started brighter on paper but could not convert their chances. They registered more shots on target — four to Iquique's eight — yet the quality of the finishing spoke volumes. The visitors also dominated in the air from set plays, earning six corners against three, but the high line was picked apart repeatedly by Iquique's movement.
Statistics tell a mixed story. Iquique held 52 per cent possession and completed 95 attacks, while Limache managed 91 attacks with 48 per cent of the ball. The visitors had more shots off target — nine to four — but could not find the back of the net beyond their lone goal. Iquique were overrun in midfield by the second half, particularly after Aguirre's dismissal.
The red card came in the 88th minute after Aguirre collected his second yellow. He had already been cautioned in the 39th minute, so the relationship with the referee seemed to have soured. Iquique made seven substitutions across the game, including bringing on fresh legs in the final ten minutes to see out the result.
The win extends Iquique's unbeaten run to eight matches, following draws with San Marcos de Arica and Coquimbo Unido. Limache's form has been inconsistent — they lost 1:3 away to Colo-Colo last time out and had previously fallen 1:4 at home to Iquique. The visitors now sit in a difficult position as the group stage progresses.
On the table, the result keeps Iquique within reach of the top positions. Limache's gap to safety widens, and they must find answers quickly. The pitch cut up badly in places, but both sides dallied on the ball in midfield rather than playing with pace. What matters now is whether Limache can roll the dice with a different approach or accept the pressure.