Antofagasta and Cobresal played out a goalless draw in Primera B's Regular Season round 25 on Thursday evening. The match ended 0:0 at the home ground, with neither side able to break through despite creating chances. By then, the result meant both clubs stayed in their current positions in the table.
The visitors took an early lead in terms of yellow cards, with J. Monreal booked in the 10th minute. Cobresal's R. Gonzalez went offside in the 26th minute, and the first half ended with J. Gatica also receiving a caution for the hosts. To be fair, the game never really settled into a rhythm, with both sides feeling each other out.
Substitutions began in the second half, starting with B. San Juan in the 18th minute of the first period. The home side made a double change in the 66th minute, bringing on J. Monreal and S. Leyton. Further changes followed: J. D. Bandez in the 72nd, A. Delgado in the 76th, and a pair in the 79th. And here's the thing — both managers were clearly looking to add something, but the game remained locked.
Cobresal added two more yellow cards late on: L. Cornejo in the 87th minute and J. Duma in the 90+4th minute. The home side's final substitution came in the 87th minute, bringing on F. Velazco alongside R. Gonzalez. The match ended without a decisive moment, and the points were shared.
Statistics showed an even contest. Both teams had 50 percent possession, with Antofagasta registering 132 attacks and Cobresal 135. The hosts managed four shots on target compared to two for the visitors, while shots off target stood at five and six respectively. By then, it was clear that neither side could find a way through.
Antofagasta sit third with 38 points from 24 games — 10 wins, eight draws and six losses. Cobresal hold second place with 42 points, having won 11 times with nine draws and four defeats. The result keeps the gap at four points, though the home side now have a game in hand if they win their next fixture.
We had backed Antofagasta to win, with 49 percent confidence. The prediction didn't come true. What broke it was the visitors' ability to absorb pressure and not make mistakes — Cobresal lost 2-4 away to San Luis in their last outing but showed resilience here. The home side had won 4-0 at home to Deportes Copiapao before that, but this match demanded more than their usual intensity.
