Boca Juniors Cruises to Copa Sudamericana Quarterfinals
Boca Juniors reached the 2026 Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals after a 7-1 aggregate victory over Deportivo Recoleta. Leandro Paredes remains sidelined.
ASUNCION — Boca Juniors secured a dominant 7-1 aggregate victory over Deportivo Recoleta to advance to the 2026 Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals. The Argentinian side sealed their progression following a clinical 4-0 win at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco in Asuncion.
The victory comes with a significant caveat. Captain Leandro Paredes did not travel with the squad to Paraguay after suffering a left hamstring injury during a match against Platense. His absence forced manager Rodolfo Arruabarrena to reshuffle his midfield, creating an tactical opening for others to step up.
Attention shifted toward 36-year-old Ecuadorian striker Enner Valencia. The veteran earned his first call-up since joining the club and is poised for his potential debut. While he is expected to begin the next match on the bench, his extensive international experience adds a new layer to the team's depth.
Boca Juniors entered the fixture in a comfortable position, holding a 3-1 advantage from the first leg at the Estadio Huracan. Arruabarrena had opted to field the same starting eleven for the first leg, maintaining consistency across Copa Argentina, Copa Sudamericana, and Torneo Clausura fixtures. Following the win in Asuncion, the club now shifts its focus toward the quarterfinals.
Despite the comfortable aggregate scoreline, tensions linger within the fanbase. Defender Nicolas Figal faced sharp criticism on social media, even after assuming the captain's armband when Miguel Merentiel exited the pitch. Fans remain focused on his performance as the competition intensifies.
The club now looks toward September for the next stage of the tournament. The first leg of the Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals is scheduled for September 8-10, with the return legs slated for September 15-17.
