In front of a packed Estadio Municipal de La Pintana in Santiago, Uruguay gained the advantage in the first leg of the Sudaméricano 2025 final, a series that will directly qualify the aggregate winner for Men's Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia. The 28-16 victory was deserved, though it flattered Los Teros as Chile failed to capitalise on several key opportunities.

Santiago Arata and Felipe Etcheverry formed an experienced half-back pairing, both aiming for their third Rugby World Cup appearance. Veteran Andrés Vilaseca, who captained Uruguay in the 2019 and 2023 tournaments after also playing in 2015, was a rock in midfield, displaying leadership and composure. However, Uruguay’s lack of discipline was a concern, with three yellow cards issued during the match.

Hosts Chile struggled to seize favorable moments and face a steep challenge as they travel to Montevideo for the second leg at the Estadio Charrúa next Saturday needing to overturn a 12-point deficit if they are to qualify directly for Australia 2027.

The aggregate loser will face the team that finishes lowest in the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2025 out of Canada, Samoa, Tonga and USA in a South America/Pacific Play-off next month for a second chance to qualify for RWC 2027.

Uruguay captain Manuel Ardao concluded: "It’s a win, but it doesn’t mean anything yet because we have two 80-minute matches, and the total score decides. We’ve only played the first half of the series."

Key moments of the match

The first try came after Uruguay’s forwards made slow progress from a lineout, repeatedly stopped by Chile’s resilient pack. The ball was spun to the backs, and Vilaseca delivered a precise pass under pressure to Carlos Deus, who scored. Felipe Etcheverry converted for an early 7-0 lead inside 10 minutes.

Chile responded quickly, earning a scrum five metres out, but Uruguay’s defence held firm under pressure, forcing a turnover and squandering the opportunity. Knowing a RWC spot hinges on the two-match aggregate, Chile kicker Santiago Videla seized every chance to keep the scoreboard ticking over, slotting a penalty in the 17th minute to make it 7-3.

Uruguay, unlike Chile, often bypassed penalty kicks for territorial gain, with lineouts leading to their three tries. After Deus’ opener, hooker Germán Kessler powered over the try-line amid a cluster of Chilean defenders for the second try. Etcheverry’s conversion extended the lead to 14-3 after 25 minutes.

Videla promptly replied with a second penalty as Chile entered Uruguay’s half, narrowing the gap to 14-6. The first half ended with Uruguay reduced to 14 players after prop Mateo Sanguinetti received a yellow card for repeated scrum infringements.

With the extra man, Los Cóndores wasted no time, as powerful centre Matías Garafulic broke through a defensive gap to score a try despite a tackle. Videla’s conversion brought Chile to within one point, 14-13 at half-time.

Early in the second half, Videla’s penalty gave Chile a brief lead. However, Arata, absent from Los Teros since RWC 2023, shifted the momentum by scoring a try from a maul, converted by Etcheverry, to regain the lead at 21-16 with 25 minutes remaining.

Uruguay capitalised on their momentum with rapid ball movement led by Arata. Left winger Ignacio Álvarez scored a try on the flank, and Etcheverry’s challenging conversion stretched the lead to 28-16, piling pressure on the hosts with a quarter of the game left.

The final minutes were scrappy, with both teams grappling with the high stakes. Uruguay’s discipline faltered again, with yellow cards to Ignacio Álvarez and try-scorer Deus, leaving them with 13 players briefly, but Chile couldn’t capitalise.

Looking ahead

The 12-point win gives Uruguay a significant but not insurmountable advantage heading into the return match in Montevideo. Chile face an uphill battle, having rarely won at Estadio Charrúa. In their last encounter there in 2023, Uruguay enjoyed a 26-25 victory.

Chile captain Clemente Saavedra reflected: "I have mixed feelings. We created chances which makes me happy, but I’m disappointed with our efficiency. We have individual details to improve, but we’re still in the running. We relish tough challenges."

Uruguay’s fly-half Felipe Etcheverry added: "We came here to win, but what I’ll take away most is the team’s attitude. The second half of the series awaits, and we’ll start as if it’s a scoreless draw in Montevideo."

Photo: Paulina Silva (Chile Rugby)