The 2026 League Cup began with the match between Universidad de Chile and Deportes La Serena in Group D, which saw the presence of Fernando Gago, the new head coach of the students, in the stands of the National Stadium. The match ended 2-2 and was marked by rain that increased the speed of the ball, causing some inaccuracies in the gameplay. Maximiliano Guerrero opened the scoring with a right-footed 'slap' (19'), but Felipe Chamorro took advantage of the mistakes in the university defense and scored a brace (29', 40') for the northerners.
Eduardo Vargas, after an assist from Fabián Hormazábal, evaded goalkeeper Federico Lanzillota and sealed the equalizer (53'). Diego Rubio, trained at Colo Colo, scored at 64', but it was all ruled out for an offside position reviewed by VAR. Universidad de Chile and Deportes La Serena each ended up with one point in Group D of the 2026 League Cup and will be back in action on Tuesday, March 24.
The northern team will visit Audax Italiano in La Florida, and the blues will host Unión La Calera, this time with Fernando Gago sitting on the bench.