Chile's Copa de la Liga 2026 sets surprise semifinal lineup as Colo Colo exits

The inaugural Copa de la Liga 2026 concluded its group stage with four regional clubs qualifying for the semifinals: Coquimbo Unido, Unión La Calera, Ñublense and O’Higgins. None of the traditional capital teams—Colo Colo, Universidad de Chile and Católica—advanced. The tournament format pits the Group A winner (Coquimbo Unido) against the Group D runner‑up (Unión La Calera), and the Group B winner (Ñublense) against the Group C champion (O’Higgins), with two‑legged ties scheduled for early July. The semifinal winners will claim the Chile 3 berth for the 2027 Copa Libertadores and a place in the next Supercopa.

Colo Colo, already eliminated, suffered a 1‑0 defeat to Huachipato in their final match. Young goalkeeper Eduardo Villanueva, who started after Gabriel Maureira’s national‑team call‑up, reflected on the loss, saying, “I know I didn’t take the chance, but I’m strong and brave,” and emphasized the importance of teamwork among the club’s goalkeepers.