Boca Juniors beat Sarmiento 2-0 in the Copa Argentina on Thursday, July 16, 2026, in Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s first match of his second spell as head coach. ESPN’s match-results database lists Sarmiento as the home side and Boca as the winner. Arruabarrena got off to a winning start, and the match offered an early indication of the tactical demands he wants the team to meet.
One of the most impressive reactions came from Leandro Paredes, who was with Argentina’s national team ahead of the World Cup final. Paredes followed Boca’s match and sent the squad a congratulatory message after the final whistle. Arruabarrena highlighted the gesture, noting Paredes’ continued connection to the club and his support for former teammates while representing Argentina.
Arruabarrena’s return follows his first Boca tenure, from 2014 to 2016, when he won the 2015 Argentine top-flight championship and the 2015 Copa Argentina. On his return, he said he wanted to build “a competitive team that can perform and identify with the fans.” His immediate task is to establish that identity while shaping a squad expected to see departures and arrivals.
Arruabarrena was pleased with the team’s performance and the players’ willingness to embrace a new style. The squad showed courage and commitment, he said, though there was room to improve. High pressing is basic to the approach he wants to instill, but the team cannot maintain it throughout every match. He praised the defensive line and midfield for limiting space and sustaining intensity, particularly while the score was level.
Alan Velasco and Leonel Flores scored Boca’s goals, taking advantage of the team’s attacking momentum. Young players also made impressive contributions, with Tomás Aranda and Flores singled out by Arruabarrena. He described Aranda as an intelligent, distinctive talent and said Flores overcame early nerves to make a decisive impact. The coach stressed the importance of giving young players opportunities and urged them to make the most of their chances.
Arruabarrena cautioned against reading too much into one positive result, saying consistency and rhythm are impressive for long-term success. The victory was encouraging, he said, but the team must focus on gradual improvement and keep perspective after one strong performance.
Boca’s return to form under Arruabarrena comes amid heightened interest in Argentine football, with the national team preparing for a World Cup final. Paredes’ message reflected ties between club and country, as well as a broader sense of unity among Argentine players. That solidarity has also been visible at other recent football events, including the passionate support from Argentine fans during the World Cup semifinal, as reported in coverage of the intense atmosphere in Atlanta.
Boca’s immediate focus is building on this initial success. The club’s reliance on homegrown talent and early signs of tactical evolution point to a period of transition and chance. Arruabarrena’s approach emphasizes collective effort, drawing on both experience and youth, and will be closely watched as the season progresses. Paredes’ support underlines the enduring ties within the Boca community, even as its players make their mark on the international stage.
Boca Juniors has historically been known for integrating young players into the first team, often relying on its academy to refresh the squad. The club’s fan base expects results and a recognizable style of play, which Arruabarrena has said he intends to deliver. As the team adapts, coming matches will show how quickly Boca can consolidate its new identity and challenge for domestic and continental honors.
