Deportes Iquique made a strong statement on Thursday by defeating Atlético Mineiro 3-2 at the Tierra de Campeones Stadium, in a thrilling match that kept the Chilean side’s hopes alive in Group H of the Copa Sudamericana. With this result, the “Celestial Dragons” claimed their first win of the tournament and reached four points, while the Brazilian team now faces complications at the top of the group.

Iquique stays alive with comeback against Atlético Mineiro that compromises group lead

The match began poorly for Iquique, who found themselves trailing just 10 minutes in. Rubens took advantage of a pass from Igor Gomes and scored with a powerful left-footed shot from outside the box, beating goalkeeper Leandro Requena. The visitors dominated early, creating danger through striker Rony.

However, the home side managed to equalize before halftime. A precise cross from Diego Orellana, who had come on for the injured Javier Parraguez, met the head of captain Álvaro Ramos, who made it 1-1 in the 34th minute. The equalizer gave some breathing room to coach Fernando Díaz’s team, who held off further Brazilian attacks to end the first half level.

In the second half, veteran forward Edson Puch made a big impact. In the 53rd minute, he created a play down the left flank that ended with Ramos scoring his second goal of the match by poking the ball in at the near post. Just seven minutes later, Orellana struck again—this time with a well-placed header from a Marcelo Jorquera cross—to make it 3-1 for the Chileans.

Just when it looked like the win was sealed, Bernard pulled one back for Mineiro in the 78th minute with a shot after a pass from Júnior Santos. The team from Belo Horizonte pushed forward in the final minutes but couldn’t avoid the loss.

This result leaves Group H wide open. Iquique now has four points, while Atlético Mineiro and Caracas have five, pending the outcome of the Venezuelans’ match against the Peruvians. On the next matchday, the Chileans will visit Cienciano in Cusco, while Mineiro hosts Caracas, both matches scheduled for May 15.

The battle for a place in the next round of the Sudamericana is still alive, and the “Celestial Dragons” have shown they won’t go down without a fight.