SANTIAGO, Chile (Interstat) — A solitary goal in the opening minute from Eduardo Vargas propelled Audax Italiano to a 1-0 victory over Ñublense in Chilean Primera División action on Monday at Estadio Bicentenario Municipal de La Florida.

The match, which concluded just 60 seconds after it began in any meaningful attacking sense, was defined by Vargas’s immediate strike and a subsequent red card that hampered Ñublense’s efforts to find an equalizer.

Vargas needed only 60 seconds to make his mark. The veteran forward finished a swift attacking move, netting what proved to be the decisive goal. He was also credited with an assist on his own goal, according to league statisticians, completing a unique and decisive individual performance.

The early goal set a fractious tone for the contest. The first half featured a flurry of yellow cards, with eight issued in total throughout the match. The most significant disciplinary action came in the 75th minute, when Ñublense’s Martín Jiménez was shown a straight red card, reducing the visitors to 10 men for the final quarter-hour and effectively ending their hopes of mounting a comeback.

Despite controlling possession and territory for long periods after conceding, Ñublense failed to seriously test the Audax Italiano defense. The home side, organized and disciplined after taking the early lead, managed the game efficiently to see out the result.

The victory gives Audax Italiano a perfect start to their Primera División campaign, moving their league record to one win and no losses. Their form across all competitions this season now stands at two wins from two matches, having also defeated Universidad Católica 2-0 in late September.

For Ñublense, the loss marks a disappointing beginning to their domestic season, leaving them with a league record of no wins and one loss. Their overall competitive record for the season is balanced at one win and one loss, following a 2-1 victory over Colo Colo in late September.

The match result defied the pre-game projection from Interstat’s game simulator, which had predicted a 1-1 draw. However, the outcome aligned more closely with the same service’s ELO rating system, which gave Audax Italiano a 66.6 percent probability of securing a win.

Audax Italiano’s performance, built upon Vargas’s instant contribution and a stout defensive display, provides early momentum in the Chilean top flight. Ñublense, meanwhile, will look to regroup after an opening match where their attacking efforts were nullified almost from the kickoff and their discipline ultimately faltered.

The teams will continue their Primera División schedules next weekend, with Audax Italiano looking to build on this winning start and Ñublense seeking their first points of the season.