Deportes La Serena sent a clear signal in their debut in the Copa de la Liga. On a rainy night at the Estadio Nacional, the red team drew 2-2 against Universidad de Chile in a high-paced match, managing to overcome a difficult start and ultimately competing evenly against a rival that began dominating. The start was favorable for the blues, who imposed conditions with possession and high pressure.

This superiority translated into the opening goal in the 19th minute when Maximiliano Guerrero capitalized on the local dominance and breached a Serenense defense that struggled to assert itself against the rival's offensive mobility. However, the setback activated the reaction from Felipe Gutiérrez's team. As the minutes passed, La Serena began to adjust their lines, increased the pressure, and found spaces on the flanks, complicating the "U"'s exit on a slippery pitch.

The equalizer came in the 29th minute after a recovery in the opponent's half. Nicolás Stefanelli initiated the play, Diego Rubio assisted with a back cross, and Felipe Chamorro finished accurately to level the score. The goal consolidated the best moment for the papayeros, who did not lower their intensity and maintained their aggressive approach.

That conviction was rewarded again in the 40th minute: another recovery in the high zone allowed Chamorro to score his double with a soft shot, surprising everyone in Ñuñoa and reflecting the effectiveness of La Serena's high pressing. Refusing to retreat, the visitors maintained their plan in the second half. However, the "U" found the equalizer early on.

In the 53rd minute, Eduardo Vargas took advantage of a deep pass from Fabián Hormazábal to beat the granate defense and …

Even in the 64th minute, a goal from Diego Rubio was disallowed by VAR, in a play that could have tilted the score. In the closing moments, the Serenense team showed greater drive, insisting with crosses and set-piece plays, although they failed to tip the balance due to fatigue and lack of precision in the final meters. Now, Gutiérrez's team will visit Audax Italiano on Wednesday at 20:30 in La Florida.

Universidad de Chile, meanwhile, will return home on Tuesday at 18:00 against Unión La Calera.