Boca and Alianza Lima decide the Copa Libertadores play-off on penalties

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.

Boca Juniors: Agustin Marchesin; Luis Advincula, Rodrigo Battaglia, Marcos Rojo, Marcelo Saracchi; Ander Herrera, Milton Delgado, Kevin Zenon; Carlos Palacios; Miguel Merentiel, Edinson Cavani. Coach: Fernando Gago.

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)

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)