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The Estadio Monumental is a football stadium located in Macul, Santiago, Chile. It is home ground to the Chilean team Colo-Colo and the Chile national team.
The current capacity of the stadium is 47,347. The stadium is located in Avenue Marathon 5300, Macul, Santiago de Chile.
The field is named after the founder of Colo-Colo, David Arellano, and hence the stadium is known as the Estadio Monumental David Arellano.
History
Estadio Monumental got built in late 1950’s when the Chilean club Colo-Colo decided to get a stadium to its name. The work started in 1957 and when 75% of the work was completed, earthquake struck Chile and the work was delayed. The club also lacked funds to develop the stadium.
After 15 years, the work was completed and the stadium was opened on 20th April, 1975. In the first match, Colo-Colo hosted Aviacion which ended in favour of the hosts.
However, the stadium still lacked lot of facilities which forced the team to move to Estadio Nacional.
After necessary funds were received, the stadium was built and was opened on 30th September 1989. In the friendly opener, the hosts played Penarol which they won 2-1.
The stadium recorded highest attendance of 69,305. Due to safety measures the capacity was reduced to 47,000.
Major Matches
The Chile national team has played seven International matches at this venue. In 1997, Ivan Zamorano scored 5 goals for Chile in their 6-0 win over Venezuela in the 1998 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
Chile drew 2-2 against the same opponents in the same venue in 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
In 2012, Chile played two World Cup Qualifiers in this venue- which they won against Peru and lost against Columbia.
Controversies
David Alfonso Arellano Moraga, was a Chilean player who is called the father of modern day football in Chile. In 1926, he hit a bicycle-kick in the Copa America which caught the attention of the international audience.
In 1927, he went on to play the shot in many tours thereafter and the Spanish journalists named the move ’La Chilena’. Even though he was the earliest players to have played the kick, he did not claim to invent it.
He was injured severely while playing the kick and almost died. He died in the same year suffering from Abdominal Trauma.
Recent Matches
The stadium last hosted two matches of the 2015 Copa America. Brazil featured in both the matches.
Colo-Colo hosted Curico Unido in the last match played at Estadio Monumental which the hosts won 3-2.
