Boca Juniors overcame an early deficit and pitch issues to defeat Recoleta. Sebastián Villa delivered two vital assists after halftime. The match was moved to Huracán due to La Bombonera's poor condition.
Boca Juniors avoided another costly slip by defeating Recoleta in a tense match relocated to Huracán’s stadium, after La Bombonera was deemed unplayable. The Argentine side fell behind just five minutes in, when Ríos put the Paraguayan visitors ahead. Recoleta’s disciplined first-half performance frustrated Boca, who struggled to create clear chances and looked at risk of another disappointing result.
The turning point came just before halftime. A reckless foul by Báez resulted in a red card, leaving Recoleta with ten men and shifting the momentum. After the break, Boca finally found their rhythm. Sebastián Villa, returning from the dressing room, provided two decisive assists—first for Ascacíbar, then for Delgado—allowing Boca to overturn the deficit and take control of the match.
Flores added a spectacular third goal with a long-range strike that found the top corner around the hour mark. Recoleta’s situation worsened when Mosquera was sent off for a second yellow card in the 69th minute, reducing the visitors to nine players. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Recoleta managed to withstand Boca’s pressure for the remainder of the game. Boca came close to extending their lead, hitting the woodwork through Lozano and seeing a Merentiel goal ruled out for offside, but the scoreline remained unchanged.
The match highlighted the impact of poor pitch conditions on major fixtures, echoing recent disruptions in Spanish football caused by extreme weather, such as the violent storms that hit southern Valencia and forced emergency responses in Alcoi and Villena (see how weather affected matches in Spain). For Boca, the win was vital to keep their campaign alive, but the inability to fully capitalize on their advantage leaves the tie open ahead of the return leg.
In South American football, stadium infrastructure and weather often play a decisive role in scheduling and match outcomes. Relocating high-profile games due to pitch conditions is not uncommon, especially during periods of heavy rain or maintenance issues. For clubs like Boca Juniors, adapting to such changes can be crucial for maintaining momentum in continental competitions. The result also underscores the importance of discipline, as Recoleta’s two red cards proved costly despite their early promise. Looking ahead, both teams face challenges: Boca must finish the job away from home, while Recoleta will need to regroup and address their disciplinary lapses to have any chance of overturning the deficit.
