When Boca Juniors face São Paulo in the 2026 Copa Sudamericana

Boca Juniors and São Paulo meet Tuesday night at La Bombonera in the most prominent quarterfinal matchup of the 2026 Copa Sudamericana. The first leg begins at 9:30 p.m. Argentina time, with Chilean referee Piero Maza in charge. ESPN will carry the match on television, while the return leg will take place in Brazil a week later.

Boca are favored by the betting markets, with a maximum price of 1.78 for a home win. São Paulo’s victory is listed at 5.20, while the draw stands at 3.40.

Boca reached the last eight by defeating Paraguay’s Recoleta 7-1 on aggregate, winning the first leg 3-1 and the second 4-0. Earlier, the Argentine club edged Chile’s O’Higgins 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 aggregate draw. Boca had started the year in the Copa Libertadores, finishing third in its group behind Chile’s Universidad Católica and Brazil’s Cruzeiro before dropping into the Sudamericana.

Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s team is in good form despite a disappointing 2-2 draw against Gimnasia in Mendoza on Saturday, a result that slowed its progress in the Torneo Clausura. Boca are also in the Copa Argentina quarterfinals, where they will face Vélez.

Boca have major injury concerns ahead of the tie involving Ayrton Costa, Tomás Aranda and Milton Delgado. Facundo “Jagger” Herrera and Marco Pellegrino are competing for the defensive spot, while Alan Velasco and Leonel Flores are options in attack. Tomás Belmonte will replace the central midfielder. Leandro Paredes is set to return after missing the match against Gimnasia, although he has muscle discomfort after a crowded year without a break because of the 2026 World Cup. São Paulo, meanwhile, sit 11th in the Brasileirão with 33 points, nine wins, six draws and 10 defeats.