# Boca Juniors takes lead in Copa Sudamericana quarter-finals

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/patronato-football-match-situation
> Updated: 2026-08-20T23:26:42.000Z. Sources: 245. Developments: 13.

Boca Juniors has advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2026 Copa Sudamericana following a series of victories. After a 3-1 comeback win against Deportivo Recoleta in the first leg of the round of 16, Boca secured their progression with a 4-0 victory in the second leg, resulting in a 5-1 aggregate win. Before facing Recoleta, Boca Juniors also had to overcome Chilean side O’Higgins. After winning the first leg 1-0 at La Bombonera, Boca secured qualification via a 4-3 penalty shootout victory following a 1-0 loss in regulation time during the second leg at Estadio El Teniente. Despite Boca's dominant 7-1 aggregate performance against Recoleta, Recoleta president Luis Vidal expressed skepticism regarding the Argentine club's prospects, criticizing their defensive and goalkeeping performance by stating, “Sinceramente, no veo a Boca campeonable todavía” (“Sincerely, I do not see Boca as championship material yet”). As the club prepares for the quarter-final first leg against São Paulo at La Bombonera, manager Rodolfo Arruabarrena has indicated that the Copa Sudamericana is the team's priority. To prepare for this fixture, Arruabarrena has rotated the squad, resting key players during recent domestic matches. However, the team faces several injury setbacks. Midfielder Milton Delgado has been ruled out of upcoming matches due to a hamstring strain, joining Tomás Aranda, Adam Bareiro, and Ayrton Costa on the list of absences. In the first leg of the quarter-final at La Bombonera, Boca Juniors secured a 1-0 victory over São Paulo. Miguel Merentiel scored the decisive goal in the 51st minute following a cross from Lautaro Blanco. Boca goalkeeper Álvaro Montero maintained a clean sheet despite pressure from São Paulo players such as Luciano, Domingos Duarte, and Calleri. A red card for Domingos Duarte was overturned following a VAR review.

## Claims

- The second‑leg match was played at Estadio El Teniente in Rancagua, Chile. (disputed by 27 sources)
- O'Higgins won regular‑time 1‑0 with a goal by Francisco González in the 72nd minute. (disputed by 21 sources)
- Tomás Aranda missed his penalty, which was saved by O'Higgins goalkeeper Omar Carabalí. (disputed by 12 sources)
- Francisco González scored O'Higgins' goal in the 27th minute of the second half. (disputed by 6 sources)
- O'Higgins missed penalties through Thiago Vecino and Luis Pavez; goalkeeper Omar Carabalí saved Tomás Aranda's attempt. (disputed by 6 sources)
- Boca Juniors won the penalty shootout 4‑3. (corroborated by 26 sources)
- O'Higgins missed penalties by Thiago Vecino and Luis Pavez; goalkeeper Álvaro Montero saved Pavez's attempt. (corroborated by 22 sources)
- The aggregate score after both legs was 1‑1. (corroborated by 21 sources)
- Boca's penalty scorers were Leandro Paredes, Miguel Merentiel, Nicolás Figal and Lautaro Blanco; Tomás Aranda missed and his attempt was saved by Omar Carabalí. (corroborated by 21 sources)
- Boca Juniors will face Paraguayan club Recoleta in the Copa Sudamericana round of 16. (corroborated by 20 sources)
- Boca Juniors advanced to the Copa Sudamericana round of 16. (corroborated by 20 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-20: Boca Juniors advances to Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals

Boca Juniors advanced to the Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals after a penalty shootout victory against O’Higgins, while Coquimbo Unido was eliminated from the Copa Libertadores by Platense.

12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/boca-juniors-advances-to-copa-sudamericana-quarter-finals-2

### 2026-08-10: Boca Juniors defeats Deportivo Recoleta 3-1 in Copa Sudamericana

Boca Juniors overcame an early deficit to defeat Deportivo Recoleta 3-1 in the Copa Sudamericana round of 16, aided by two red cards for the Paraguayan side.

90 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/santotomealda-to-host-solidarity-folklore-event-for-local-soup-kitchens

### 2026-07-31: Boca Juniors fined $20,000 for blocking post‑match interviews

Boca Juniors were hit with a $20,000 CONMEBOL fine for refusing to let two players, including captain Leandro Paredes, give post‑match interviews after their penalty‑shootout win over O'Higgins in Chile.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/boca-juniors-fined-20000-for-blocking-postmatch-interviews

### 2026-07-31: Boca Juniors reaches Copa Sudamericana last‑16 after penalty shootout win

Boca Juniors drew 1‑1 with O'Higgins, won 4‑3 on penalties and will face Recoleta in the Copa Sudamericana round of 16; Riquelme and Paredes criticised the defensive error.

25 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/boca-juniors-reaches-copa-sudamericana-last-16-after-penalty-shootout-win-over-ohiggins

### 2026-07-29: Boca Juniors reaches Copa Sudamericana round of 16 after beating O'Higgins on penalties

Boca Juniors advanced to the Copa Sudamericana round of 16 after a 1‑0 loss to O'Higgins was overturned in a 4‑3 penalty shootout on 30 July 2026 in Rancagua; Lautaro Blanco scored the decisive spot‑kick and B

57 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ohiggins-vs-boca-juniors-copa-sudamericana-playoff-second-leg-in-rancagua

### 2026-07-27: Boca Juniors hit by injuries before Copa Sudamericana tie in Chile

Boca Juniors travel to Chile for the Copa Sudamericana second leg against O'Higgins but lose midfielder Carlos Palacios to a muscle injury and goalkeeper Álvaro Montero faces a medical assessment, leaving coach

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/boca-juniors-hit-by-injuries-before-copa-sudamericana-tie-in-chile

### 2026-07-23: Boca Juniors beat O'Higgins as Paredes questions Argentina future

Boca beat O'Higgins 1‑0 in the Sudamericana first leg, Merentiel scoring from a Paredes assist. Paredes, back from the World Cup final, said he is unsure about staying with Argentina’s national team.

110 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/boca-juniors-host-ohiggins-in-copa-sudamericana-2026-playoff-first-leg

### 2026-07-21: Boca Juniors readies lineup for Copa Sudamericana playoff at home against O'Higgins

Boca Juniors face O'Higgins in the Copa Sudamericana playoff first leg on 23 July in La Bombonera, with Paredes likely starting despite a rib injury and several key players unavailable due to injury.

21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/boca-juniors-submits-squad-for-sudamericana-playoff-against-ohiggins

### 2026-07-16: Boca Juniors reach Copa Argentina octavos with 2-0 win over Sarmiento

Boca Juniors beat Sarmiento 2‑0 at Rosario’s Marcelo Bielsa stadium, debuting coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena and advancing to the Copa Argentina octavos to face Vélez Sarsfield.

49 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/boca-juniors-name-lineup-for-copa-argentina-match-against-sarmiento

### 2026-07-09: Boca Juniors coach Arruabarrena outlines squad plans and Paredes World Cup status

Arruabarrena says Paredes will miss Boca's pre‑season due to the 2026 World Cup and outlines a rebuild aimed at champion status, stressing fan unity and transfer‑market challenges.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/boca-juniors-coach-arruabarrena-outlines-squad-plans-and-paredes-world-cup-status

### 2026-07-07: Boca Juniors beats Athletico Paranaense 1-0 in Salta friendly

Boca Juniors won 1‑0 over Athletico Paranaense in a Salta friendly, with Lautaro Blanco scoring; it was coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s debut and featured a red card for Athletico’s keeper.

21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/boca-juniors-name-squad-for-atletico-paranaense-friendly-amid-european-interest-in-midfielder-milton

### 2026-06-30: Boca Juniors Reserve to Face River Plate in Superclásico Semifinal

Boca Juniors reserve secured a 3‑0 win over Atlético Tucumán and will meet River Plate in the reserve‑team Superclásico semifinal on July 5 at Boca Predio, with the winner advancing to the final.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/boca-juniors-reserve-to-face-river-plate-in-superclsico-semifinal

### 2026-06-23: Boca Juniors gears up for Copa Sudamericana playoff and pre‑season friendly

Boca Juniors faces O'Higgins in a Copa Sudamericana playoff (July 23/30) and a friendly vs Athletico Paranaense in Salta (July 8); other Argentine clubs record draws and wins in Primera Nacional.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/club-atltico-atlanta-draws-1-1-with-gimnasia-y-tiro-salta-in-primera-nacional

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Cite as: Boca Juniors takes lead in Copa Sudamericana quarter-finals. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/patronato-football-match-situation