Boca Juniors fought valiantly on Thursday, but they were eliminated in the round of 16 of the 2024 Copa Sudamericana.
The xeneizes, who started the match a man down due to the unusual early expulsion of Luis Advíncula, managed to take the series against Cruzeiro to a penalty shootout. However, a mistake by Miguel Merentiel ultimately led to their early exit from the continental tournament.
Sergio Romero, Boca’s goalkeeper and a crucial player, vented his frustrations in the mixed zone, holding Colombian referee Wilmar Roldán responsible for impacting the Brazilian team’s progression.
“It was an outright gift for Cruzeiro, but we understand that these things can occur in decisive matches. We must hold our heads high and focus on what lies ahead,” he stated.
Wilmar Roldán argues with Diego Martínez, Boca Juniors coach | Photo: Getty Images
Despite his serious accusations against Roldán, Boca’s goalkeeper expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance. “This is more than just painful; it strengthens us. To endure 90 minutes with one player less and almost win is commendable. We represented the team in the best way we could,” he remarked.
“We knew the match would be challenging, that a 1-0 lead was far from secure, so we prepared as best as we could. When we were down to one player, we increased our effort and nearly clinched victory at the end,” he added.
Romero believes that the best course of action is to move on from the events in Belo Horizonte. “Starting tomorrow, we will shift our focus to upcoming challenges. We need to be ready to analyze what we did well and what we didn’t. A crucial match against Estudiantes is approaching, and we need to get back on track in the local tournament,” he concluded.
Match Overview
The match was significantly impacted by the early expulsion of Boca’s Peruvian defender, Luis Advíncula, just 20 seconds in for a hard tackle on Lucas Romero.
Boca’s coach, Diego Martínez, quickly substituted midfielder Agustín Martegani for defender Jorge Figal, but even with one player less, Boca was at the mercy of Cruzeiro.
The Brazilians, backed by a full Mineirao stadium, quickly asserted their dominance. In the 9th minute, after regaining possession in the attack, Matheus Pereira took a shot from outside the box, which Sergio Romero saved. However, Matheus Henrique was quick to react and capitalized on the rebound to score 1-0.
Boca refused to back down and had a clear chance to equalize in the 19th minute. Cruzeiro’s response was swift, as just two minutes later, after a corner was cleared by the defense, Walace seized the ball inside the box to make it 2-0.
Just before halftime, Lautaro Díaz hit the post, leading to a score of 2-1 instead of 3-0 at the break.
Boca Juniors managed to hold on in the second half and reached penalties, where Cruzeiro was flawless. Boca converted their first four penalty attempts, but in the fifth, Merentiel missed, putting their elimination beyond doubt.
*With information from AFP.
Boca Juniors Exits 2024 Copa Sudamericana in Dramatic Penalty Shootout Against Cruzeiro
Boca Juniors faced a tough challenge on Thursday as they were eliminated in the round of 16 of the 2024 Copa Sudamericana. The team, often referred to as Los Xeneizes, struggled to maintain their trajectory after losing defender Luis Advíncula just seconds into the match.
The early red card for Advíncula put Boca Juniors on the back foot, forcing them to adapt quickly against the Brazilian team, Cruzeiro. Despite the odds, the match culminated in a penalty shootout after Boca managed to hold Cruzeiro to a draw. However, a critical miss by Miguel Merentiel sealed their fate and led to a heartbreaking exit from the tournament.
Match Overview: Boca Juniors vs. Cruzeiro
The encounter began with intense competition. Boca’s coach, Diego Martínez, made an immediate tactical shift, replacing midfielder Agustín Martegani with defender Jorge Figal to bolster the backline after Advíncula’s dismissal.
The match started poorly for Boca when, only 20 seconds into the game, Advíncula was sent off for a bad tackle on Cruzeiro’s Lucas Romero. This incident created a significant shift in dynamics, allowing Cruzeiro to attack relentlessly.
First Half Highlights
Following the early setback, Cruzeiro capitalized on their numerical advantage. Their first goal came in the 9th minute when Matheus Pereira’s shot was saved by Boca’s goalkeeper Sergio Romero, but Matheus Henrique pounced on the rebound, making it 1-0.
Despite this early goal, Boca Juniors refused to back down. In a turn of events, they created a significant scoring opportunity but were quickly stifled by Cruzeiro’s defense. Just two minutes after Boca’s attempt, Cruzeiro struck again, with Walace scoring in the 19th minute after a corner kick clearance.
As the half progressed, Boca’s Lautaro Díaz hit the post, reflecting their desperate attempt to claw their way back into the match. The first half ended with a score of 2-1 in favor of Cruzeiro.
Second Half Resilience
The second half saw Boca Juniors display remarkable tenacity, determined to fight against their odds. Sergio Romero, Boca’s seasoned goalkeeper, emerged as a pivotal figure, making several crucial saves that kept Boca in the game.
Ultimately, Boca’s perseverance paid off, and they managed to take the match into penalties, showcasing their grit despite being a man down for nearly the entire game.
Penalty Shootout Drama
The penalties were a rollercoaster of emotions. Boca Juniors converted their first four penalties successfully, only to face a devastating moment when Miguel Merentiel missed the fifth and decisive shot.
Cruzeiro, who had been flawless in their attempts, celebrated their advancement in the tournament, while Boca Juniors was left reflecting on a game that tested their limits.
Key Reactions from Players
Sergio Romero was vocal in expressing his feelings post-match, highlighting his belief that the refereeing, led by Colombian referee Wilmar Roldán, significantly impacted the game’s outcome.
Romero stated, “It was all a gift for Cruzeiro, but we know that these things can happen in decisive matches. We must lift our heads and focus on what lies ahead.” His comments reflect the frustration often felt by teams that face controversial officiating in crucial moments.
Looking Ahead
Despite the disappointment, Romero emphasized the need for the team to move forward: “Starting tomorrow, we will analyze what was done right and wrong. We have an important game against Estudiantes coming up, and we need to get back on track in the local tournament.”
Takeaways from the Match
- Early Red Card: The dismissal of Luis Advíncula changed the game dynamics significantly from the start.
- Strategic Adjustments: Coach Diego Martínez’s tactical decision to substitute Martegani for Figal was crucial in reorganizing the team.
- Goalkeeper Performance: Sergio Romero’s determination and skill in goal kept Boca’s hopes alive through several critical moments.
- Resilience: Boca Juniors displayed incredible spirit by pushing the game into penalties despite their disadvantage.
Although Boca Juniors faced a painful elimination from the Copa Sudamericana, their performance throughout the match resonated with the team’s fighting spirit and determination. As they shift focus to the next challenges in the domestic league, all eyes will be on how the team bounces back from this tough defeat.
*With information from AFP.
