O'Higgins struck first, Boca had more of the ball but created less: the tie was decided on penalties

O'Higgins took the win by 1-0 against Boca Juniors at the Estadio El Teniente, in a CONMEBOL Sudamericana — Round of 32 clash that was ultimately decided on penalties 3-4. The standout stat from the match is that the home side scored with less possession and almost the same shot volume, in a game where efficiency and the impact of F. Gonzalez's goal in the 72' ended up setting the tone.

Tactical reading

The numbers paint a fairly even picture in possession, but not in production. O'Higgins controlled 48% of the ball and Boca Juniors 52%, a minimal difference that did not translate into a clear attacking edge. In fact, both sides finished with 15 shots, although the home team was sharper: 5 on target compared with just 2 from the visitors.

That is the key to the match. O'Higgins generated chances worth 1.0 and Boca Juniors 0.8; in other words, the game was quite tight and the result was explained more by the ability to convert the decisive opportunity than by a buildup of attacks. In that context, the 1-0 scoreline fits a balanced contest, but one with a better finish from the Chilean side.

The distribution of cards also supports that reading of an intense match that was broken up at times: O'Higgins received 2 yellow cards and Boca Juniors 4. Without going beyond what the numbers show, the visitors ended up with more bookings and less precision in the final third, something reflected in their mere 2 shots on target.

The standouts

The ratings reinforce who left the better impression in an otherwise even match.

• F. Gonzalez (O'Higgins) was the top performer with 8.2 and also scored the winning goal in the 72'.
• L. Paredes (Boca Juniors) was the visitors' best player with 7.9.
• A. Robledo (O'Higgins) also finished among the highest-rated with 7.6.

In a match of fine margins, the highest rating went to the winning side, and that does not seem like a coincidence: F. Gonzalez not only settled the game on the scoreboard, he was also backed by the highest mark on the pitch.

The turning point came with F. Gonzalez's goal in the 72', the only goal in regular time. From there, Boca Juniors had to chase the game from behind, but the numbers do not show a response that broke the deadlock: they did keep slightly more possession, yes, but without turning it into more shots on target or a clear advantage in the chances created.

The finish was that of a tight tie, with the margin minimal in almost everything and a 3-4 penalty shootout deciding it. O'Higgins were more efficient in the decisive stretch and, in the match itself, left a clear takeaway: they did not need to dominate possession to produce enough to win the game and hold the lead to the end.