Alianza Lima eliminated Boca Juniors in the penalty shootout and left them in crisis

Unexpected, total surprise at La Bombonera. After a changing, electrifying match with too many nerves on both sides, Boca forced the penalty shootout against Alianza Lima, where they were left out of the Copa Libertadores with a result of 5 to 4, after the only mistake by Alan Velasco. The Xeneize, without continental participation for the whole of 2025.

The nervousness was palpable, Boca was disjointed, struggling to put together passes calmly and in a hurry to unlock the goal . Merentiel's cross into nowhere just 3 minutes into the action was a clear indication. But then Miguel Trauco arrived: The visiting defender retreated desperately to cover the second post, and he took the ball that Marcelo Saracchi sent into the area. Fernando Gago and the entire bench exploded, the long-awaited goal had arrived early.

Logically, after that action, the Xeneize changed. They allowed themselves to have more time with the ball, they linked up successfully in the middle and, although they still did not pose much danger, they seemed to begin to justify the 1-0. However, another fortuitous play changed everything. Pablo Ceppellini perfectly executed a free kick to the penalty spot, and Hernán Barcos headed in an unstoppable shot.

And again, like at the beginning. Boca nervous, pushed by the war cry mixing anger and encouragement from its fans , and Alianza Lima throwing the responsibility at them. Thus, Eryc Castillo had the clearest chance of the entire series, when in a 3 vs 1 counterattack he lost the one-on-one with Agustín Marchesín. The rest of the first half was a suffering, with a team that did not find the formula to hurt again.

The best thing that could have happened to Gago's team was to finish the first half. After the 15-minute break , they came out refreshed, with a better appearance and more decisive. Within a few minutes, Cavani hit the post, and Kevin Zenón adjusted his aim, demanding goalkeeper Viscarra.

Like a whirlwind, the home team pressed Alianza Lima against their own goal, and they were rewarded. Palacios took a corner into the area, Marcos Rojo won it in the air, and on the rebound Zenón pushed it in for 2-1.

The fact that the second goal was the result of Xeneize superiority and not a coincidence helped to definitely change the course of the match. Alianza stopped attacking and lost the self-confidence that it had shown throughout the first half. Little by little, it got more and more inside its own goal and the spaces to move the ball became bigger.

However, the dangerous chances also became less frequent . During that period of the night, the most important thing was when Cavani made a diagonal and shot across, demanding the rebound from Viscarra, and then Herrera could not connect with the goal. On the visiting side, the only thing that stood out was a breakaway by Pablo Lavandeira that ended with a shot from distance just wide.

As Boca went into the final whistle, trying to avoid penalties, another flurry of situations came. First, Lautaro Blanco's cross led to Milton Giménez's header hitting the crossbar, and in the last chance, Edinson Cavani missed the goal in an incredible way. Under the goal, and alone in front of the touchline, he couldn't push it in. Unbelievable. So, to penalties.

In the penalty shots from the penalty line, everyone was effective, converting the 9 penalties until Alan Velasco's came. With all the pressure on him, he could not beat Guillermo Viscarra who blocked the shot, and took the qualification to Peru. Boca, on the other hand, was left without continental competitions for the rest of the year , and was left with a shaky process, that of Fernando Gago .

Boca Juniors (2): Agustin Marchesin; Coach: Fernando Gago.

Lima Alliance (1): Guillermo Viscarra; Guillermo Enrique, Carlos Zambrano, Renzo Garces, Miguel Trauco; Eryc Castillo, Erick Noriega, Pablo Lavandeira, Kevin Quevedo; Pablo Ceppellini, Hernan Barcos. Coach: Nestor Gorosito.

Referee: Piero Maza.

Stadium: La Bombonera.

Goals: PT: 6' Miguel Trauco e/c (B), 19' Hernán Barcos (AL) . ST: 11' Kevin Zenón (B)

Penalties: Scored for Boca by: Marcos Rojo, Edinson Cavani, Williams Alarcón and Milton Giménez. Viscarra saved Alan Velasco's penalty. Scored for Alianza Lima by: Paolo Guerrero, Fernando Gaibor, Miguel Trauco, Erick Noriega and Pablo Lavandeira.

Substitutions: PT: 33' Fernando Gaibor for Ceppellini (AL). ST: 11' Alan Cantero for Quevedo (AL), 30' Williams Alarcón and Lautaro Blanco for Saracchi and Herrera (B), 33' Paolo Guerrero for Barcos (AL), 33' Milton Giménez and Alan Velasco for Palacios and Merentiel (B), 47' Leandro Brey for Marchesín (B)