Boca Juniors Crush Recoleta to Secure Quarterfinal Spot
In a night of pure dominance, Boca Juniors – one of Argentina's most storied football clubs – dismantled Paraguay's Deportivo Recoleta with a 4-0 victory at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco in Asunción on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. The result sealed a commanding 7-1 aggregate win (Boca had won 3-1 in the first leg) and propelled the Xeneize into the quarterfinals of the Copa Sudamericana, South America's second-tier club competition, akin to the UEFA Europa League.
A First Half to Remember
From the opening whistle, Boca made their intentions clear. Despite holding a two-goal advantage from the first leg, manager Rodolfo Arruabarrena fielded a strong lineup and his side pressed high. The breakthrough came in the 30th minute when Santiago Ascacibar rose above the defense to head in a cross from Lautaro Blanco – his fifth goal in six matches, underlining his remarkable scoring run from midfield.
Just before halftime, Sebastián Villa doubled the lead. The Colombian winger, who had struggled earlier in the season, pounced on a rebound and slotted home his first goal since his return to the club. His celebration included a gesture of apology to the fans, referencing past off-field controversies.
Match Facts
- Deportivo Recoleta: 0
- Boca Juniors: 4
- Venue: Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asunción
- Referee: Andrés Matonte (Uruguay)
- VAR: Leodán González (Uruguay)
- Goals: Ascacibar (30' PT), Villa (42' PT), Merentiel (4' ST), Velasco (32' ST)
Second Half Showcase and Notable Debuts
The second half was more of the same. Just four minutes in, Miguel Merentiel produced a moment of magic: he received the ball, nutmegged a defender, and delicately chipped the goalkeeper to make it 3-0. It was the Uruguayan striker's second consecutive goal, signaling a return to form.
With the match well in hand, Arruabarrena introduced substitutes. At the 56th minute, Enner Valencia made his official Boca debut after 49 days of inactivity since Ecuador's elimination from the World Cup. The experienced forward showed flashes of quality and almost scored, but his shot drifted just wide. Youngster Facundo Herrera also came on, while Alan Velasco replaced Tomás Aranda and sealed the rout with a stunning right-footed strike from the edge of the area – a true screamer that found the top corner.
Player Ratings: Who Shone Brightest?
| Player | Rating | Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| Santiago Ascacibar | 9 | Scored again and controlled the midfield. A true box-to-box presence. |
| Sebastián Villa | 8.5 | Unplayable on the left wing. Found his scoring touch and reconnected with fans. |
| Miguel Merentiel | 8 | A goal of pure class. His confidence is back. |
| Alan Velasco | 8 | Came off the bench and scored a wonder goal. A valuable asset. |
| Álvaro Montero | 7 | Made a key save in the first half. Solid between the sticks. |
| Milton Delgado | 7 | Engine of the team. Dictated the tempo. |
| Tomás Aranda | 7 | Stepped up in the absence of Paredes. Fearless on the ball. |
| Rodolfo Arruabarrena | 9 | Perfect tactical setup. Trusts young players and the team responds. |
Next Up: São Paulo in the Quarterfinals
Boca's opponent in the next round is São Paulo, who eliminated Bolívar in their tie. The Brazilian side has struggled domestically, sitting 13th in the Brasileirão, but remains undefeated in this tournament. As per the draw, Boca will host the first leg at La Bombonera and travel to Estádio do Morumbi for the return. According to the CONMEBOL schedule, the first legs of the quarterfinals will be played between September 8-10, and the second legs between September 15-17.
With more than 20,000 Boca supporters filling the stadium in Asunción, the night was a celebration of attacking football and collective brilliance. Arruabarrena's side now looks like a genuine contender for the title.
Sources: Olé, TyC Sports, Rosario3