Audax Italiano edges Magallanes to reach Copa Chile round of 16

Audax Italiano clinched a hard-fought qualification for the Copa Chile round of 16, defeating Magallanes 1-0 in a match that demanded significant effort from the team. Playing at the Estadio Municipal de San Bernardo, Audax Italiano, managed by Patricio Graff, entered the game with the imperative to secure a victory.

This necessity was amplified by Palestino's simultaneous 3-2 win against league leaders Deportes Santa Cruz in La Cisterna. That result meant Audax Italiano, often referred to as the 'Italics,' faced elimination if they did not secure three points.

The first half offered a subdued contest with few scoring opportunities for either side. However, Audax Italiano intensified their efforts after the break, driven by the urgent need to break the deadlock. The breakthrough came in the 64th minute when Franco Troyansky's pass found Giovanni Chiaverano, whose cross was met by Fabián Loyola. Loyola's subsequent shot deflected off Magallanes defender Hans Salinas, wrong-footing goalkeeper Joaquín Muñoz and finding the back of the net for the game's only goal.

In the closing stages, Magallanes pressed for an equalizer, creating chances that unsettled the Audax Italiano defense. Despite the pressure, Audax Italiano managed to hold their ground, preserving their slim lead until the final whistle and securing their place among the tournament's top 16 teams.