Boca Juniors advanced to the quarter-finals of the Apertura after a tense penalty shootout against Lanus, concluding a thrilling match that saw both teams display determination. The match was played at Boca’s home stadium and ended in a draw. Boca would go on to eliminate their Argentine compatriots in the following round. What a huge moment Agustin Marchesin, Boca’s goalkeeper, made in the first minute — saving Alexis Canelo’s opening penalty. That important moment would determine the fate of the whole shootout.
What we watched was a complete and beautiful performance to overcome odds by both teams. Lanus, led by the indomitable spirit of captain Carlos Izquierdoz, threw everything into the challenge, but could not bridge the gap. Boca’s Milton Gimenez converted the decisive spot-kick, ensuring Boca’s progression into the next stage where they will face either Independiente or Independiente Rivadavia.
Key Matches and Performances
In other notable matches during this round of the Apertura, San Lorenzo secured a narrow 2-1 victory over Tigre, showcasing their competitive spirit. At the same time, fellow Argentinian side Rosario Central made an impression, taking it to Estudiantes with a convincing 2-0 victory. What makes these results notable is the increasing competitiveness of the tournament as teams compete for a mounting seal of authority.
Lanus still had plenty of chances to win the match in regulation. Ramiro Carrera almost doubled the lead with a dangerous long-range blast right before halftime. That’s when Marchesin came up with a huge save that kept Boca alive in the match. Dylan Aquino seized the opportunity to flip the game. Instead, he rocketed his shot over the bar in the shootout, sealing Lanus’s fate.
Reflections on the Match
After the game, Boca’s coach Mariano Herron admitted that much work remains to be done even after the win.
“We definitely need to improve, but we achieved what we wanted to achieve, which was to get through the round. From here, we now have to work to improve,” – Mariano Herron
While celebrating their win, Herron recognized the frustration among fans:
“We understand the fans’ anger. We need to work to improve, but it’s understandable that they weren’t satisfied.” – Mariano Herron
Carlos Izquierdoz echoed similar sentiments about the fan atmosphere during the match:
“Fans can tell you how the match is going. We attacked, we were well positioned, and the fact that their fans started to jeer means that we were doing things right. We were confident.” – Carlos Izquierdoz
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