Argentine powerhouse football club Boca Juniors defeated Brazil's Vasco da Gama to advance to the final stage of the 2026 Copa Sudamericana. In the second leg of the semifinals held at the historic Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Boca triumphed over Vasco da Gama 3-1. Having suffered a 0-1 defeat in the home first leg, Boca secured a dramatic comeback victory with an aggregate score of 3-2, achieving the remarkable milestone of reaching the tournament final for the third time in their history.

From the beginning of the match, a desperate need for victory drove Boca to press their opponents fiercely. Just 4 minutes into the first match, Lautaro Blanco delivered a cross from a corner kick, which central defender Lautaro Di Lollo connected with a header to successfully seize the early momentum. Vasco da Gama, conceding an early goal, pushed their defensive line up in pursuit of an equalizer, and Boca did not miss this gap. In the 34th minute, taking advantage of a lax clearance by the opponent's defense, Sebastián Villa slipped a pass through, and forward Miguel Merentiel calmly finished in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper, widening the score to 2-0. With this, Boca took the upper hand on aggregate.

The game fluctuated wildly in the second half. In the 66th minute, a fatal mistake by Boca’s defense allowed José Luis Rodríguez of Vasco da Gama to score a consolation goal. This goal leveled the aggregate score at 2-2, and the game drifted toward a penalty shootout atmosphere. Pressed for time, Boca launched an all-out offensive but struggled anxiously as they failed to capitalize on decisive opportunities.

The savior was captain Leandro Paredes, who stepped onto the pitch as a substitute in his return from injury. Introduced in the 57th minute, Paredes received the ball in the middle of the midfield unmarked in the 88th minute. His subsequent long-range shot caught Vasco da Gama goalkeeper Léo Jardim off guard, grazing the goalkeeper's misjudged trajectory and spinning into the net. It was a winning goal that rescued the team from crisis. Boca successfully defended their lead for the remaining time and finally grabbed the ticket to the final.

After the match, Paredes showcased his special connection to the Maracanã Stadium by securing his fourth victory there. Having previously tasted victory at the stadium with the Argentina national team in the 2019 Copa America against Venezuela, the 2021 Copa America final against Brazil, and the 2023 World Cup qualifiers against Brazil, he expressed that this victory was one of the most important nights of his playing career.

Boca’s opponent in the final will be decided by the semifinal winner between Brazil’s Atlético Mineiro and Uruguay’s Montevideo City Torque. Atlético Mineiro currently holds the upper hand after winning the first leg 3-0 at home. The much-anticipated final of this Copa Sudamericana is scheduled to take place on November 20 at the Roberto Meléndez Metropolitan Stadium in Barranquilla, Colombia.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]