Universitario de Deportes were beaten 5-2 by Universidad de Chile at the Centro Deportivo Azul. The loss leaves Carlos Véliz‘s squad with fixes to make nine days before the Copa Libertadores Femenina 2026, set for Quito Oct. 15‑31.
The Peru side struck first at four minutes through Pierina Núñez, yet the hosts equalised before halftime via Gisela Pino. After the break Franchesca Caniguán put them ahead 2‑1, and Sofía Oxandabarat restored parity from the spot, though Chile reclaimed the lead late in the Santiago match on Tuesday.
Pino, who returned to Universitario in 2023 and 2025, pushed the tally further. Minutes later Caniguán fired a brace and Valeria Ríos scored an own goal.
Beyond the loss, the friendly let the coaching staff gauge their side against another continental contender. Six players missed the match due to Peru call‑ups: Mia Shatlit, Carmen Campos, Valerie Gherson, Luz Campoverde, Grace Cagnina and Alesia García.
The ‘cream’ outfit responded twice after Chile’s advantage but couldn’t hold on in key phases. The international prep comes during the Women’s League pause for the FIFA window. Universitario has already secured a semifinal spot in the Torneo Clausura and awaits its next opponent in the national championship decider. For my money, tightening the back line should be their priority.
Thursday, Oct. 8, Véliz’s team faces Universidad Católica at Claro Arena. It will be the second and final rehearsal before heading to Ecuador. Véliz’s staff aims to tighten the defence and give minutes to available players to shape the starting eleven for the continental debut.
The Chile friendly doesn’t alter the Peruans’ schedule, yet it exposes the challenge awaiting them in Quito. In the Libertadores, the top two teams of each group advance to the quarter‑finals, followed by single‑leg knock‑outs until the final on Oct. 31 in Ecuador.
For the ‘merengue’ squad, the tour has two immediate goals: raise competitive intensity and fix issues before the international showcase. The defeat to the blues showed offensive spark from Núñez and Oxandabarat, but also revealed five goals conceded. The next friendly will offer a fresh benchmark before the Quito tournament later this month.
The Copa Libertadores Femenina runs Oct. 15‑31 in Ecuador, featuring 16 clubs in four groups. Universitario sits in Group B with Independiente del Valle, Belgrano and Palmeiras. CONMEBOL confirmed the two best of each group move to the quarter‑finals in the knockout stage.
The opening match pits them against Palmeiras on Thursday, Oct. 15, 19:00, at Banco Guayaquil stadium. Three days later the Peruans meet Independiente del Valle at the same venue. Group play wraps up Wednesday, Oct. 21 versus Belgrano at Rodrigo Paz Delgado stadium in Quito. Can they turn the tide in Quito?