Xeneize, with a mix after beating River in the Superclásico, fell 4-2 with doubles from Lucero and Pikachu. Merentiel and Zenón scored for the Argentines whose executioner, the main rival in Group D, was five points ahead of them.
Boca arrived in Fortaleza this Thursday, at the Castelão stadium for the third date of Group D of the 2024 Copa Sudamericana with a mix of starters and substitutes after celebrating in the Superclásico and before the semifinals of the LPF Cup against Estudiantes. But his opponent was strong, did not forgive him and, with a tough 4-2, took five points from him at the top of the continental table, pushing Diego Martínez’s team into second place.
Xeneize’s first minutes on the field seemed to predict what would come next, although those initial doubts later seemed to dissipate. A series of bad starts from the back in the face of local pressure led, after four minutes, to a robbery by Tomás Pochettino from Nicolás Figal, from which assistance came to Juan Martín Lucero to define millimetrically enabled before the departure of Sergio Romero.
But after that early action, the Argentines equalized. They did not manage to create so much danger, but they did not face difficulties either. And at 20 they achieved equality when Jabes Saralegui overflowed from the right and sent the kicker past for Miguel Merentiel to run over. Before the break, Yago Pikachu threatened, appearing alone on the right although without aim.
The start of the match was also a risk zone for the visitors, who suffered against an unforgiving rival. Pikachu and José Welison warned, who forced Romero to make an effort, but Boca did not correct in time and found themselves three goals down in a flurry with Lucero’s header after a frontal center from Pochettino at five, a shooting by Pikachu for right to the far post after a pass from Pochettino with Xeneize badly stopped at 11 and a chest push from Pikachu after a cross from the left by Imanol Machuca that left Chiquito paying at 18.
Boca began to match again with the income of some starters such as Luis Advíncula and Kevin Zenón, who had it with a free kick that went close, and then Ezequiel Fernández hit the post and on the counterattack Romero blocked it from Bruno Pacheco. But in those dizzying minutes, at 39, Zenón finished from outside with a ball that seemed to have no problems for Joao Ricardo, but the ball escaped the goalkeeper and slipped in for the second.
Pikachu, on time, ran into Romero again, and there was no time for more. Boca left empty-handed after a night of strong emotions, and will have to fight again for the group in the remainder.
22:58
51′ 2T: End of the match
Boca lost 4-2 with Fortaleza in Brazil.
22:48
45′ 2T: Romero manages to beat Pikachu
The dangerous scorer from the anime appears face to face with Chiquito and the goalkeeper clears it.
Strength vs. Boca: Sergio Romero’s save against Yago Pikachu
22:45
39′ 2T: MOUTH GOAL!
Zenón tries from outside and his low shot goes in with the collaboration of Joao Ricardo, who fails to contain it.
Strength vs. Boca: Kevin Zenon’s goal (4-2)
22:43
38′ 2T: Minute of anxiety from goal to goal
Equi Fernández hits the post and in response Romero blocks it from Pacheco.
Strength vs. Boca: from Equi Fernández’s crossbar to Sergio Romero’s save
22:40
37′ 2T: Zenón and a free kick just wide
Who today was preserved and on the bench but came on for the injured Fabra, threatening a dead ball.
Strength vs. Boca: Kevin Zenon’s free kick
22:22
18′ 2T: GOAL OF STRENGTH
Machuca faces from the left and sends a cross over Romero that Pikachu pushes with his chest.
Strength vs. Boca: Yago Pikachu’s goal (4-1)
22:13
11′ 2T: GOAL OF STRENGTH!
Pochettino enables Pikachu with Boca badly stopped and the Brazilian shoots Chiquito from the right at the far post.
Strength vs. Boca: Yago Pikachu’s goal (3-1)
22:09
5′ 2T: GOAL OF STRENGTH!
Pochettino’s frontal free kick cross that Lucero heads in to Romero’s left post.
Strength vs. Boca: Juan Martín Lucero’s goal (2-1)
22:09
4′ 2T: Romero saves from medium distance
Welison demands it and the goalkeeper clears by throwing himself to his right.
Strength vs. Boca: Sergio Romero’s save
22:07
3′ 2T: Pikachu threatens again
On the right, he shoots close to the near post.
Strength vs. Mouth: Yago Pikachu’s mistake
22:06
The second half is already played!
Boca and Fortaleza start out equal in one.
21:47
47′ 1T: End of the first half
Boca goes into the break paired with Fortaleza.
21:40
39′ 1T: Dangerous chance from Pikachu
It appears only on the right and resolves high.
Strength vs. Mouth: Yago Pikachu’s mistake
21:21
20′ 1T: BOCA GOAL!
Saralegui overflows on the right and passes a low center for Merentiel to run over.
Strength vs. Boca: Miguel Merentiel’s goal (1-1)
21:06
4′ 1T: GOAL OF STRENGTH!
Lucero receives millimeter clearance after another error in the xeneize exit and executes justice after the departure of Romero.
Strength vs. Boca: Juan Martín Lucero’s goal (1-0)
21:01
It’s already being played in Brazil!
Boca wants to continue on the good path against Fortaleza.
20:43
Fortaleza, with five Argentines from the start against Boca
Emanuel Brítez, Tomás Cardona, Tomás Pochettino, Juan Martín Lucero and Imanol Machuca, the starting Argentines chosen by Juan Pablo Vojvoda. Emmanuel Martínez will be on the substitute bench.
Imanol Machuca and Juan Martín Lucero in the warm-up before facing Boca (@FortalezaEC).
20:34
The Boca substitute bench vs. Fortaleza, for the South American Cup
Leandro Brey, Mark Red, Luis Advincula, Lautaro Blanco, Jorman Campuzano, Pol Fernandez, Milton Thin, Kevin Zenon, Vincent Taborda, Darius Benedetto, Norberto Briasco, Lucas Janson.
20:31
The confirmed formation of Boca vs. Fortaleza, for the South American Cup
Sergio Rosemary; Lautaro Di Lollo, Nicolas Figal, Christian Lema, Marcelo Saracchi; Jabes Saralegui, Ezekiel Fernandez, Christian Medina, Frank Fabra; Luca Langoni and Michael Merentiel.
20:23
Boca’s casualties vs. Fortaleza, for the South American Cup
- Javier García: he has muscle discomfort in his left calf.
- Aaron Anselmino: left hamstring tear.
- Nicolás Valentini: he was not summoned by Diego Martínez as a result of the conflict to renew his contract.
- Lucas Blondel: rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of the right knee.
- Mauricio Benítez: grade 2 adductor injury.
- Exequiel Zeballos: recovering from the rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and external meniscus in his right knee.
- Juan Ramírez: he was not cited for football performance.
- Ezequiel Bullaude: he was not cited for football performance.
- Edinson Cavani: he will rest after the physical wear and tear he did with River.
The Uruguayan, scorer of a goal in the victory against River, has been adding several minutes and that is why they will preserve him. (Luciano Bisbal/Getty Images)
19:47
The confirmed eleven of Fortaleza vs. Boca, for the South American Cup
John Ricardo; Yago Pikachu, Emmanuel Britez, Thomas Cardona, Bruno Pacheco; Hercules, Ze Welison, Peter Augustus, Thomas Pochettino; John Martin Star and Imanol Machuca.
The confirmed eleven of Fortaleza vs. Boca, for the Copa Sudamericana (@FortalezaEC).
19:41
The preview of Fortaleza vs. Boca, in TyC Sports!
This is how the Xeneizes fans experience the prelude to the duel in the vicinity of the Castelao stadium.
Boca adds color to the preview of the duel with Fortaleza
19:22
Fortress, with everything ready to receive Boca
The Brazilian team will wear their traditional jersey, while Xeneize will wear the yellow jersey.
19:00
All Boca’s triumphs in Brazil
- 1978: 2-1 to Mineiro in Belo Horizonte.
- 1998: 2-0 to Flamengo at the Maracaná.
- 2001: 1-0 to Vasco da Gama in Sao Januario.
- 2003: 4-2 to Paysandú in Mangueirao de Belem.
- 2003: 3-1 to Santos in Morumbí.
- 2007: 2-0 to Gremio at the Olympic Stadium.
- 2008: 2-1 to Cruzeiro in Mineirao.
- 2012: 2-0 to Fluminense in Engenhao.
- 2019: 1-0 to Paranaense at the Arena da Baixada.
- 2020: 1-0 to Internacional at Beira Rio.
18:53
Frank Fabra, Martínez’s bet tonight in Boca
The Colombian will return to the starting lineup after not doing so since matchday 1 and 2 of the League Cup, in the ties with Platense and Sarmiento de Junín in which he completed the 90 minutes, and after barely adding 1 minute with Defensa and Justicia, 1′ with River in the Monumental and 6′ with Newell’s.
However, Fabra will not play in his usual position of left back, but will do so on the left of midfield in place of Kevin Zenón, who will rest after the Superclásico and will return for next Tuesday’s semifinal against Estudiantes de La Plata, for the LPF Cup.
Frank Fabra will once again start in Boca against Fortaleza (Fotobaires).
18:47
Why it is so important for Boca to add against Fortaleza for the Copa Sudamericana
Boca debuted in the Copa Sudamericana with a goalless draw against Nacional Potosí in Bolivia and then defeated Sportivo Trinidense 1-0 in La Bombonera with a goal from Aarón Anselmino. With four points, they are second in Group D, while Fortaleza is the only leader with six points as a result of two wins against the Paraguayans 2-0 as a visitor and the Bolivians 5-0 at home.
In this way, the crossing of three dates to play, making it difficult in the race to keep first place and skip an instance.
Boca will visit Fortaleza in Brazil, a key duel in the Copa Sudamericana. (Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)
18:38
This is how Fortaleza comes to receive Boca
Meanwhile, Fortaleza has just equaled 1-1 against Cruzeiro in the second round of the Brasileirao and in the Sudamericana they have a perfect score with two wins, 2-0 against Sportivo Trinidense and 5-0 over Nacional Potosí. The team led by Argentine Juan Pablo Vojvoda, who has several compatriots on the squad, arrives with most of the players available except for Marinho, who was sent off against Nacional Potosí and will not be able to be in the game.
18:36
How Boca arrives to visit Fortaleza
Xeneize defeated Millonario 3-2 in the Superclásico and, despite the few days of rest for the squad, the coach plans to put the majority of starters, although he may save some of those who have a lot of filming. Boca is second with four points in its zone and will seek to be in a good position for the direct passage to the round of 16 – whoever finishes second will go to the 16th round.
For the series, and since next Tuesday they will face Estudiantes de La Plata in Córdoba for the semi of the local tournament, the coaching staff will put in a mix. Those who will leave are Luis Advíncula for Lautaro Di Lollo; Marcos Rojo, who will be replaced by Nicolás Figal, Pol Fernández by Cristian Medina, Kevin Zenón by the Colombian Frank Fabra and Edinson Cavani, who arrived just enough for the Superclásico and was not even called up, and will be replaced by Luca Langoni.
Diego Martínez, coach of Boca, during the 3-2 win over River. (Luciano Bisbal/Getty Images)
18:36
The data from Boca vs. Fortaleza, for the South American Cup
- Time: 21.00
- TV: ESPN y DirecTV
- Stadium: Castelão
- Referee: Wilmar Roldán