Boca Juniors claimed a critical 1-0 win over Lanús on their return to La Bombonera, with the outcome decided in the final seconds. Álvaro Montero’s impressive intervention and Tomás Belmonte’s late strike secured three points that could matter in the Torneo Clausura standings.
Montero delivered a standout performance, making a decisive save against Wlk in the dying moments, just before Belmonte found the net. Many saw this as Montero’s first major impact since joining Boca, and his composure under pressure proved basic. Santiago Ascacíbar provided a precise assist, and Belmonte arrived in the box at the right moment to score the match’s only goal.
Defensively, Boca showed mixed form. Facundo Herrera impressed in his first start at La Bombonera, showing strength in aerial duels and composure on the ground, though his distribution remains an area to improve. Lautaro Di Lollo was solid in central defense, while Dylan Gorosito struggled to contain Lanús attacks down his flank despite offering more going forward. Lautaro Blanco, on the left, looked fatigued and was less effective in attack and defense, raising questions about his workload in recent weeks.
In midfield, Ascacíbar’s energy and vision stood out as he stepped up in the absence of Leandro Paredes, who entered only in the second half. Camilo Rey Domenech and Milton Delgado both fell short of their usual standards, with Rey Domenech looking particularly disorganized. Alan Velasco, who started in attack, made little impact and lost possession frequently, leading to his substitution. Miguel Merentiel, after a run of goals, was largely anonymous and struggled to influence play as Boca’s central striker.
Among the substitutes, Paredes’ introduction immediately improved Boca’s build-up, and his involvement was instrumental in the move that led to Belmonte’s winner. Sebastián Villa added pace and threat after coming on, but his influence waned as the match progressed. Enner Valencia, still adapting to the team and lacking preseason preparation, showed glimpses of his aerial ability but remains short of full fitness. Kevin Zenón was not rated because of his limited time on the pitch.
Coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena made several tactical adjustments after a lackluster team display, including changes to account for Aranda’s absence for the remainder of the year and Paredes’ absence from the starting lineup. His persistence with substitutions paid off as Boca’s late surge delivered the win. The dramatic finish echoed the unpredictability of other recent football clashes, such as PSG’s reshuffled attack against Lille, which also hinged on late tactical decisions and is examined in this analysis of PSG’s lineup changes.
Boca’s victory highlights the value of squad depth and flexibility in a demanding season. The Torneo Clausura often tests teams’ ability to recover, especially when basic players are missing or fatigued. Boca’s ability to secure points under pressure may prove decisive as the competition progresses. The match also underscored how a tactical switch can turn a save and a goal into a decisive result. For supporters and analysts alike, games like this reinforce football’s unpredictability.
