Palestino 5-1 Coquimbo: Visitors slump to heavy loss at Municipal de La Cisterna

Coquimbo Unido fell to an away defeat at the hands of Palestino at Municipal de La Cisterna on Saturday. Palestino were looking to pick up points after winning their previous two games in the competition. The most recent was against the O’Higgins away (2-1), the other to Unión Española at home (1-0). Coquimbo are struggling for form following a draw in their last match. As it stands, Palestino and Coquimbo currently occupy 5th and 15th spots in the league, with 29 points and 13 points respectively after 18 matches.

Palestino started the first half well, when Ariel Martinez opened the rout in the 8th minute. However, their celebrations were kept brief, as Joe Abrigo equalised for Coquimbo, 36 minutes in to see out the first half 1-1.

Palestino staged a comeback in the second half, with an early calamitous own goal from Felipe Yanez in the 48th minute. Palestino looked to have the match under control when they scored again and increased their lead, thanks to a goal from Maximiliano Salas at the 54 minute mark to establish a 3-1. The momentum was now with Palestino, who then scored again through a goal from Cristian Suarez at the 70 minute mark to establish a 4-1. They then scored again, increasing their advantage thanks to a 2nd effort from Maximiliano Salas in the 79th minute to make it 5-1.

Substitutions for Palestino included Maximiliano Salas, Franco Pardo, Felipe Chamorro, Nicolas Meza and Andres Vilches for Benjamin Rojas, Bruno Barticciotto, Jonathan Benitez, Vicente Fernandez Godoy and Bryan Carrasco, repectively. Coquimbo brought on Cristopher Barrera, Jorge Gatica and Dylan Escobar, to replace Gerardo Gordillo, Fabian Carmona and Sebastian Galani.

There were bookings for Jose Bizama and Franco Pardo from Palestino, and Victor Gonzalez and Ruben Farfan, for Coquimbo.

Palestino will next travel to U. Católica, while Coquimbo will face La Serena at home.