The team Deportes Iquique achieved an important penalty victory over Independiente Santa Fe from Colombia in the match played tonight on Colombian soil, securing a place in the last qualifying round before the group stage of the Copa Libertadores 2025.
In a closely contested series, the Chilean team prevailed in the penalty shootout 2-1, having won 2-1 in the first leg at home and lost by the same score in the return leg. Hans Salinas and Bryan Soto scored the penalties for Iquique, while César Fuentes missed his shot and Misael Dávila saw his attempt stopped by goalkeeper Andrés Mosquera.
On the other hand, Independiente Santa Fe could only convert one penalty through Ángelo Rodríguez, with Omar Albornoz and Edwar López missing their attempts and Leandro Requena saving the shots from Lucas Ríos and Hugo Rodallega.
During the match, Deportes Iquique opened the scoring five minutes in with a goal from Steffan Pino, who capitalized on a rebound from a corner to extend their lead in the series. However, Independiente Santa Fe managed to equalize the match in the 13th minute with a spectacular long-distance goal from Ewill Murillo.
When it seemed that the regulation time would seal the series in favor of Iquique, in the sixth added minute of the second half, Christian Mafla headed in a cross from Lucas Ríos to level the aggregate score and force the penalty shootout, which ultimately favored the Chilean team.
After this agonizing victory, Deportes Iquique advanced to the third and final qualifying round before the group stage, where they will face the winner between Boca Juniors and Alianza Lima from Peru.
