10 Key Sports Developments In Latin America (September 14, 2025)

(MENAFN- The Rio Times) A thrilling Sunday across Latin America saw major moments in soccer alongside significant achievements in other sports.

Fierce derby matches in Argentina, Mexico and Chile delivered upsets and silverware, a prominent coach stepped down amid crisis, and a Peruvian club surged to the top of its league.

Beyond football, a Mexican boxing superstar was dethroned in a historic showdown, Mexico's famed baseball team clinched another title, and Peru's tennis squad made Davis Cup history. Here are 10 key sports developments from September 14, 2025:
Universidad de Chile wins Chilean Supercopa in rivalry clash
Key facts: Universidad de Chile defeated arch-rivals Colo Colo 3-0 at Estadio Santa Laura to claim the 2025 Chilean Supercopa.

Powered by goals from Matías Sepúlveda, Nicolás Guerra and Lucas Assadi,“La U” secured the Supercopa trophy for the second time in club history. The convincing victory over their biggest rival gave Universidad de Chile an early piece of silverware in the season.

Why picked: This emphatic win in Chile's annual champions match not only delivered a trophy but did so in the nation's fiercest derby.



A Supercopa triumph over Colo Colo is a major moment for Chilean football, energizing one half of Santiago and underscoring a shift in momentum in this storied rivalry.
Flamengo ends drought with away win to stay top in Brazil
Key facts: In Brazil's Série A, Flamengo earned a 2-0 victory at Juventude, cementing their lead atop the table. Giorgian de Arrascaeta opened the scoring and Emerson Royal added a late goal as Flamengo dominated the match.

The win was historic: it marked Flamengo's first triumph in 28 years at Juventude's Alfredo Jaconi stadium. With 50 points in 22 games, the Rio de Janeiro club maintained first place, edging closer to the national title.

Why picked: Flamengo's road win not only extended their lead in a tight title race, it also exorcised a decades-old away curse.

As Brazil's most supported club, Flamengo 's strong campaign and record-breaking result are of huge national interest, reinforcing their status as championship favorites this season.
Chivas upset Club América in Clásico Nacional showdown
Key facts: Guadalajara's Chivas defeated Club América 2-1 in Mexico's Clásico Nacional, the country's biggest rivalry match. Playing in Mexico City, Chivas stunned the hosts with a spirited performance, snapping América's unbeaten streak in the Apertura.

The visitors grabbed the lead and held on despite América's pressure, securing three precious points in front of a packed crowd.

Why picked: Few victories resonate in Mexican football like a Chivas win over América. This result shook up the Liga MX landscape, as Chivas not only earned bragging rights in the nation's most-watched fixture but also proved their mettle against the league leaders.

It's a defining moment that could shift momentum in the title race and was celebrated by millions of fans.
Monterrey edges Querétaro to reclaim Liga MX lead
Key facts: Monterrey's Rayados pulled off a hard-fought 1-0 win on the road against Querétaro, a result that lifted them back to first place in Liga MX.

A solitary goal and solid defense were enough for Monterrey to secure the victory. By the end of the weekend, Rayados had leapfrogged their rivals in the Apertura standings, reasserting themselves as the team to catch heading into the season's second half.

Why picked: In Mexico's top division, the battle for the top spot is fierce, and Monterrey's narrow win had significant implications. Regaining the league lead underlines Monterrey's title ambitions in a highly competitive season.

As one of Liga MX's best-supported and most talented squads, their climb back to the summit was a key storyline for Mexican football that day.
Independiente coach resigns amid losing streak
Key facts: Argentine giants Independiente were plunged into turmoil as head coach Julio Vaccari resigned following a 0-1 home defeat to Banfield.

The loss extended Independiente's winless run to nine matches in the Primera División Clausura, leaving the team bottom of their group.

Amid heavy fan pressure and protests at Estadio Libertadores de América, the club announced Vaccari's departure and began the search for a new manager to salvage their season.

Why picked: Independiente is one of South America's most historic clubs, so a crisis of this magnitude is national news in Argentina.

A mid-season coaching change reflects the severity of the team's slump. Vaccari's exit highlights the intense pressure on big clubs to perform, and it opens a new chapter for Independiente as they fight to avoid a disastrous campaign.
Di María scores as Rosario Central hold Boca Juniors
Key facts: Rosario Central and Boca Juniors played out a 1-1 draw in a high-profile Argentine league encounter at the Gigante de Arroyito.

Boca took a 20th-minute lead through a Rodrigo Battaglia header, but Rosario Central answered four minutes later when Ángel Di María struck a left-footed shot from a tight angle off a corner play to equalize.

The second half saw chances for both sides but no winner. The draw kept Boca near the top of their group, while Rosario earned a valuable point with their World Cup-winning star making the difference.

Why picked: This match featured the homecoming hero Di María - a global icon - scoring for his boyhood club against Boca, Argentina's most famous team.

The spectacle of a World Cup champion impacting a domestic clash added extra significance. The result itself affected the Clausura standings, but Di María's involvement turned it into one of the day's headline moments in Argentine football.
Canelo Álvarez falls to Crawford in historic boxing bout
Key facts: Mexican boxing legend Saúl“Canelo” Álvarez was defeated by Terence“Bud” Crawford in a mega-fight that captivated fans globally.

Fighting in Las Vegas on Saturday night (with news breaking on Sunday), Canelo lost a unanimous decision as judges scored it 116-112 and 115-113 (twice) for Crawford.

In victory, the American Crawford became the first boxer ever to hold all four major championship belts in three different weight classes. Canelo, who was the reigning undisputed super middleweight champion, suffered just the third loss of his storied career.

Why picked: Canelo Álvarez is arguably Latin America's biggest active sports star, and his showdown with Crawford made worldwide headlines.

The outcome marked a passing of the torch in boxing: a Mexican icon was unseated, and Crawford's unprecedented achievement cemented his place in history. This fight's significance transcended boxing, sparking debate and interest far beyond the region.
Diablos Rojos secure back-to-back Mexican baseball titles
Key facts: In Mexico's baseball championship series, the Diablos Rojos del México clinched the Liga Mexicana de Béisbol (LMB) title for the second straight year. They defeated the Charros de Jalisco 7-3 in Guadalajara on Sunday night, completing a 4-0 sweep in the best-of-seven Serie del Rey.

The Diablos Rojos' offense exploded to back a solid pitching effort, earning the franchise its 18th national title. The triumph coincided with LMB's centennial season, making the Mexico City club's bicampeonato even more special.

Why picked: Winning consecutive championships in the LMB - especially during the league's 100th anniversary year - is a remarkable feat for the Diablos Rojos, one of Mexico's most historic teams.

Baseball has a passionate following in parts of Latin America, and this victory was a top sports story in Mexico, highlighting the ongoing dynasty of a legendary ballclub.
Peru shocks Portugal to advance in Davis Cup
Key facts: Peru's national tennis team pulled off a stunning upset over Portugal in a Davis Cup World Group I tie held in Lima.

Peru jumped to a 2-0 lead after Friday's singles matches, but Portugal fought back by winning Saturday's doubles, making the score 2-1.

In the decisive fourth rubber on Sunday, 19-year-old Peruvian Ignacio Buse (ranked outside the top 100) came from a set down to beat Portugal's top player Nuno Borges (world No. 52) by 3-6, 6-2, 6-2.

The victory gave Peru an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series and sent them through to the 2026 Davis Cup Qualifiers (the final playoff round before the World Group finals).

Why picked: This result is a milestone for Peruvian tennis. It's the first time Peru has reached the Davis Cup Qualifiers stage, and they did it by defeating a favored European team.

The underdog heroics of Buse and his teammates resonated with sports fans, as Peru achieved a rare triumph on the international tennis stage, showcasing the region's growing competitiveness in a sport often dominated by other continents.
Universitario beats Melgar to go top in Peru's Clausura
Key facts: Universitario de Deportes earned a crucial 2-1 away win over FBC Melgar in Arequipa, a result that propelled them into first place in Peru's Torneo Clausura.

Melgar took an early lead through Jhonny Vidales, but Universitario responded with goals from Jairo Concha and defender Williams Riveros to turn the match around.

The Lima club's victory in this eighth-round fixture extended their unbeaten run and put them ahead of rivals Alianza Lima and Sporting Cristal in the Clausura standings.

Why picked: Universitario is one of Peru's most popular and successful clubs, and their surge to the top of the table is a significant development in the Peruvian league. Winning in the altitude of Arequipa against a strong Melgar side demonstrated Universitario's title credentials.

This result intensified the championship race in Peru and was widely celebrated by the club's fans, marking an important high point in the domestic football weekend.

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