Universidad de Chile falls to Colo Colo in Superclasico, drops 13 points back in 2026 Liga de Primera

The Estadio Nacional was packed, the atmosphere festive, and Universidad de Chile needed a win to stay firmly in the hunt for the 2026 Liga de Primera title. It didn't happen. Colo Colo took the Superclasico 2-1 and stretched its lead atop the table to 13 points, a margin that's starting to weigh heavier by the week for the Blues.

The match had a bit of everything. A penalty set the tone before U reacted and clawed its way back into the game, but as fate would have it, right at their best moment came Colo Colo's second goal, one that ended up crushing the home side's hopes. That's how Fernando Gago described what happened on the field.

After the penalty we got back into the match. I think in the second half we managed to fix three or four things, and right at our best moment the opponent's goal comes, even so the team kept trying, kept pushing. It hurts, because it's a loss, because it's a Superclasico and because we had the chance to cut into the points gap, but now we have to keep goingFernando Gago

The Argentine coach didn't want to overdramatize the setback, but he didn't downplay it either. He was clear that one loss doesn't erase everything his team had been building, nor does it hide the fact that the level shown against Colo Colo wasn't what was expected.

We didn't play well, we weren't the best before and we're not the worst now. It hurts, it's a derby, we lost, we didn't play well, that's it, but to read more into it, that the team has regressed, noFernando Gago

The fight goes on, according to Gago

With a 13-point gap and the season clock ticking, the question was inevitable: is the title dream over for U? Gago was blunt on the matter and made clear that as long as there's a mathematical chance, his team won't give up.

We weren't sharp, we lost the match, we have to keep pushing and we're going to keep working, because as long as we mathematically have a chance we're going to fight for itFernando Gago

Asked point blank whether the title race was already decided after this loss, the coach was just as direct: "I'm going to fight for the title until the last matchday," he answered, making it clear he has no intention of writing off the season while the numbers still allow for hope.

Beyond the result, Gago also had a message for the fans who packed the stands at the Nacional. He knew the win the fans had been asking for never came, and that weighed on him as he spoke after the final whistle.

The message to the fans is pure gratitude. We needed to give them a win we couldn't deliver, so speaking from the heart right now is very difficultFernando Gago

Now Universidad de Chile has to pick itself back up quickly. The gap with Colo Colo is significant, but the squad and its coach insist there are still matches to play and points to fight for. The schedule will decide whether that faith adds up to anything more than words.