Fútbol Argentino
Boca snapped several positive streaks after the first-leg defeat to Vasco da Gama
Xeneize lost 1-0 to Vasco da Gama in the first leg of the 2026 Copa Sudamericana semifinals and saw several favorable records come to an end. While waiting for the return leg, Arruabarrena sounded confident and said the team will go after qualification.
Boca is going through a period of review after the 1-0 defeat to Vasco da Gama in the first leg of the semifinals of the Copa Sudamericana 2026. Beyond the result, the match had a concrete consequence for Xeneize: several positive streaks the team had been maintaining in the decisive stretch of the competition came to an end.
The blow came in a clash of the highest demand and forced the coaching staff to quickly look ahead. In the post-match press conference, coach Arruabarrena sent a message of confidence ahead of the return leg, in which Boca will try to turn the tie around away from home.
Arruabarrena: "We are Boca and we’re going to go for it".
A setback that interrupted a favorable run
The defeat not only complicated the tie, but also halted positive statistics that had been accompanying the team. According to the breakdown released after the match, Boca had been sustaining a favorable run that was cut short at the Bombonera against the Brazilian side.
In that context, the squad has already shifted its focus to the next international commitment. The coach himself said he will try to field the best available side in the next match, although no further details about the lineup have emerged for now.
Arruabarrena: "I’m going to try to put out the best side against Talleres".
The return leg, at the center of attention
The tie is still open, but Boca is now obliged to win in Brazil to reach the grand final. While waiting for that match, another important organizational issue remains: the return leg between Vasco da Gama and Boca still does not have a confirmed stadium, after the appeal filed by the consortium at the Maracaná.
That situation has left CONMEBOL with steps still to define in the immediate lead-up, while Xeneize fine-tunes its preparation with the series as its only focus.
What the first leg left behind
- Boca lost 1-0 to Vasco da Gama.
- The match was the first leg of the semifinals of the Copa Sudamericana 2026.
- The defeat snapped several positive streaks for Xeneize.
- Arruabarrena called for confidence and said the team will go after qualification.
- The return leg in Brazil still has no confirmed venue.
