Boca Juniors and Estudiantes de La Plata are the only Argentine clubs still in contention for international trophies this season, competing in the Copa Sudamericana and Copa Libertadores semifinals, respectively.
With both teams facing an uphill battle in the second legs next week, here’s what each needs to reach the final.
Boca chasing a Maracanazo
Boca have the most work to do after losing the first leg of their series 1-0 at home to Vasco da Gama on Tuesday at La Bombonera.
Although the Xeneize took the initiative early on, it was the Brazilian side that struck first. In the 25th minute, forward Andrés Gómez sent in a cross for teammate Adson Soares to open the score.
Gómez’s sending-off in the 65th minute gave Boca a boost and allowed the team to put Vasco under pressure. However, despite creating scoring opportunities, Boca repeatedly failed to find the net.
The key question for the Xeneize is whether star midfielder Leandro Paredes will be fit for the return leg next Tuesday.
World Cup winner Paredes suffered a grade II muscle tear last Friday during Boca’s 2-2 draw against Instituto, and missed the first Libertadores semifinal clash.
While this type of injury typically takes three to four weeks to heal, the former Paris Saint-Germain player is reportedly making good progress, raising the possibility of an early return.
His availability could prove crucial for the team coached by Rodolfo Arruabarrena, which sorely missed the 2026 World Cup finalist’s organizational skills in midfield.
Boca needs to win by at least two goals at the Maracanã to secure a place in the final.
The second leg is scheduled for Tuesday, October 20, at 9:30 p.m. Argentine time. In Argentina, the game will be broadcast on ESPN and streamed on Disney+.
Estudiantes have everything to play for
Estudiantes de La Plata face a similar challenge in the Copa Libertadores.
The Pincha, as the club is affectionately known, drew 0-0 at home against Brazil’s Flamengo on Thursday. They now need to beat the Rio de Janeiro giants at the Maracanã next week, even if only by a 1-0 scoreline.
In a closely contested match, the team coached by Alexander “Cacique” Medina managed to neutralize Flamengo, who had gone into the game unbeaten in their previous nine matches across all competitions.
The Brazilian side finished the first half without a single shot on target.
However, Estudiantes also failed to capitalize on the few chances they created, leaving the tie wide open.
The main controversy for Estudiantes is South American football governing body CONMEBOL’s rejection of the club’s request to include recent signing Marcos Rojo.
The former Manchester United player joined Estudiantes on October 9, after the club received the Argentine Football Association’s (AFA) approval to sign a player outside the transfer window following midfielder Gabriel Neves’ season-ending injury. Rojo is now eligible to play in all remaining Argentine domestic competitions.
However, CONMEBOL has rejected his inclusion in Estudiantes’ squad, claiming world football governing body FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players allow footballers to be registered outside the transfer window only following the termination of a contract, either unilaterally or by mutual consent.
Estudiantes announced it would take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the international body that settles sports disputes through arbitration.
The club argues that the Copa Libertadores operations manual allows the registration of any player already registered with their domestic association — in this case, the AFA.
The club also said it would request an interim measure allowing Rojo to play in the second leg.
Estudiantes and Flamengo will play the second leg of their semifinal on Thursday, October 22, with kickoff scheduled for 9:30 p.m. Argentine time.
The match will be broadcast live on Fox Sports and streamed on Disney+ Premium.
La entrada Boca and Estudiantes will chase continental glory in Brazil se publicó primero en Buenos Aires Herald.