Los Cóndores have become the third South American rugby side (after Argentina and Uruguay) to qualify for the 2027 World Cup, defeating Samoa 31-12 in front of a massive home crowd in Viña del Mar.
The result marks Chile’s first win over Samoa, and their first over any of the major Pacific Island nations, with the side moving to 17th in the world rankings, their highest ever.
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The result also marks the first time Chile will compete in back-to-back World Cups, having competed at the 2023 World Cup in France.
Coming into the match, both sides were sitting equal following a 32-32 draw in Salt Lake City, Utah, with the winner of the series to be selected as the 23rd side to qualify for the World Cup.
However, in front of a bumper 21,754-strong crowd at Estadio Sausalito, one of the largest in Chilean rugby history, the hosts capitalised on a misifiring Samoan side in the first half, with tries to Benjamín Videla, Inaki Ayarza and Nicolás Saab.
Santiago Videla had a strong day with the boot, kicking 16 points off the tee to keep his side in control.
The result sees Chile also become the fifth side from the Americas to qualify for the World Cup, with the USA and Canada also qualifying.
The result is the most number of sides ever from the Americas to feature at a World Cup, with a sixth side possibly joining them as Brazil and Paraguay continue their qualification campaigns.
While Samoa did come back well in the second half with a try to Melani Nanai, it was a disappointing result for a side affected by injuries, and now leaves their World Cup hopes in jeopardy, having featured in the tournament since 1991.
The islanders will now go into the final qualification tournament that will decide the remaining two spots for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, serving as their last opportunity to qualify.
They will go up against Belgium, Namibia, and either Brazil or Paraguay when the tournament is played in November 2025 in Dubai.
