LA CALERA, Chile (Interstat) — Deportes Iquique opened its Chilean Primera División campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory over Union La Calera on Friday, overcoming an early deficit and a statistical projection that heavily favored the home side.

The match, played before a crowd at Estadio Municipal Nicolás Chahuán Nazar, defied pregame expectations. Interstat’s ELO system had given Union La Calera a 57.70 percent probability of securing a win, while the organization’s game simulator had projected a 1-1 draw. Instead, Iquique’s resilience on the road delivered a result that flipped the script and provided an ideal start to their league season.

The game began at a furious pace, with the first goal coming before many in attendance had settled into their seats. In just the 9th minute, Union La Calera’s Álvaro Ramos, starting the match as a substitute but entering the game early, found the back of the net. His early strike gave the home squad an immediate 1-0 advantage and seemed to set the stage for a performance that would validate their status as the pregame favorite.

However, the lead was short-lived. Deportes Iquique responded with a pair of quick goals that ultimately decided the contest. The equalizer came from midfielder Joaquín Soto in the 29th minute, stabilizing the visitors after the early setback. Just four minutes later, Iquique completed the turnaround. Misael Dávila, another substitute who made a decisive impact, scored in the 33rd minute to put his side in front 2-1.

The rapid-fire sequence of three goals in a 24-minute span provided the bulk of the game’s offense, as the second half evolved into a more contentious and disciplined battle. The match’s momentum was further altered in the 56th minute when Union La Calera’s Fabrizio Tomarelli was shown a red card, forcing his team to play a man down for the final third of the game.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Union La Calera pressed for an equalizer but was unable to break through a resolute Iquique defense for a second time. The visitors managed the game effectively down the stretch, preserving their narrow lead and securing all three points on the road.

The result provides a clear early-season momentum swing for both clubs. Deportes Iquique begins its Primera División schedule with a 1-0 record, while Union La Calera starts 0-1. The records also reflect each team’s standing across all competitions for the new campaign.

The key performances that defined the match came from the goal scorers. Joaquín Soto’s goal for Iquique was the crucial equalizer that shifted the game’s dynamic, while the contributions from the substitutes, Álvaro Ramos for La Calera and Misael Dávila for Iquique, proved to be the most critical attacking interventions of the night.

The victory for Deportes Iquique serves as a statement win, overcoming not only a hostile road environment and an early goal, but also the weight of statistical predictions that foresaw a different outcome. For Union La Calera, the match represents a missed opportunity at home, compounded by a red card that hampered any chance of a late fightback.