Boca beats Recoleta, nears Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals

Boca Juniors took a significant step towards the Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals by defeating Deportivo Recoleta 3-1 in a match held at the Ducó stadium. The victory puts Boca in a commanding position ahead of the second leg, with their next potential opponent being the winner of the series between San Pablo and Bolívar.

Despite the absence of a consistent No. 9 striker, Boca found offensive contributions from Santiago Ascacíbar, who scored the equalizer, and promising performances from Leonel Flores and Tomás Aranda. Ascacíbar, in particular, has been a key figure in Boca's recent scoring run, effectively filling the void and impressing with his runs into the penalty area.

The match started shakily for Boca, with early signs of disorganization and defensive vulnerabilities that led to Recoleta taking the lead through Pedro Ríos. However, Boca gradually asserted control, creating numerous scoring opportunities before halftime. A header from Miguel Merentiel hit the post, and a subsequent shot from Milton Delgado struck the crossbar, highlighting Boca's attacking pressure.

Boca's offensive capabilities were evident, though the team still struggles with consistency. Ascacíbar's ability to find space and penetrate the opponent's defense was crucial, contrasting with Merentiel's ongoing goal drought. Aranda facilitated play through the defense, while Flores provided a spark on the left wing late in the first half, contributing to the expulsion of Recoleta's Wilfredo Báez.