Boca Juniors hosts Vasco da Gama in Copa Sudamericana semifinal
- Boca Juniors hosts Vasco da Gama at La Bombonera on October 13, 2026, at 21:30 local time for the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana semifinal.
- Boca Juniors enters the fixture following a quarterfinal victory over São Paulo, where they secured a 1-0 win in the first leg and a 1-1 draw in Brazil.
- Boca will face Vasco da Gama without their captain and playmaker, Leandro Paredes.
Boca Juniors hosts Vasco da Gama at La Bombonera on October 13, 2026, at 21:30 local time for the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana semifinal. The match marks a critical step for the Argentine side as they look to secure an advantage before the return leg at the Maracaná in Brazil on October 20, 2026, according to reporting by ole.com.ar.
How do the teams arrive at the semifinal?
Boca Juniors enters the fixture following a quarterfinal victory over São Paulo, where they secured a 1-0 win in the first leg and a 1-1 draw in Brazil. As reported by ole.com.ar, the team remains on a 17-match unbeaten streak across all competitions, a run that has kept them in contention for 2027 Copa Libertadores qualification, per eldiaonline.com. Vasco da Gama advanced to this stage by defeating Independiente Santa Fe with a 2-0 aggregate score, following a 0-0 draw in Colombia and a 2-0 victory in the return match.
Who is missing for Boca Juniors?
Boca will face Vasco da Gama without their captain and playmaker, Leandro Paredes. According to clarin.com, medical examinations confirmed a grade 2 injury that will keep the midfielder inactive for three to five weeks. Manager Rodolfo Arruabarrena noted the impact of the loss, stating, We have lost the captain and the leader inside and outside the group, but we have who to replace him with, with another characteristic,
as reported by clarin.com. In addition to Paredes, Boca is also without Tomás Belmonte, who underwent surgery for a meniscus tear, and Alan Velasco, who is sidelined with an adductor strain.
✅️ VASCO DA GAMA vs BOCA JUNIORS, la vuelta, en el Maracaná. pic.twitter.com/vKk0yuedTs
— https://x.com/BocaJrsSports/status/2102859256579952860
What is the history between these clubs?
The two sides have met four times previously, all occurring during the 2001 season. TyC Sports reports that Boca holds a historical edge with two victories and two draws, having scored eight goals to Vasco da Gama’s four. Their most notable encounter was during the 2001 Copa Libertadores quarterfinals, where Boca won 1-0 in Brazil and 3-0 at home to eliminate the Brazilian club.
What are the expected lineups and officiating?
Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s probable starting eleven for Boca includes Álvaro Montero in goal, with a defensive line of Leandro Lozano, Lautaro Di Lollo, Facundo Herrera, and Lautaro Blanco. The midfield is expected to feature Santiago Ascacibar, Milton Delgado, and either Carlos Palacios or Williams Alarcón, while the attack may include Leonel Flores, Sebastián Villa, and either Miguel Merentiel or Enner Valencia. Vasco da Gama, managed by Pedro Emanuel, is expected to start Léo Jardim, Paulo Henrique, Alan Saldivia, Robert Renan, Cuiabano, Thiago Mendes, Santiago Sosa, Marino Hinestroza, Alan Lescano, Carlos Andrés Gómez, and Bruno Duarte da Silva, as detailed by ole.com.ar.
The match will be officiated by Chilean referee Piero Maza, assisted by José Retamal and Carlos Poblete, with José Cabero overseeing the VAR.
How can the match be followed?
The semifinal first leg is scheduled for broadcast on ESPN and via streaming platforms Disney+ Premium, DSports, DGO, and Paramount+. Live coverage, including minute-by-minute updates, is available through the website of Olé.
