Boca erupt over VAR controversy and are left hanging by a thread in Copa Libertadores

The feeling at the end of the night in La Bombonera was not one of a draw. It was anger, frustration and growing concern. Boca Juniors were held to a 1-1 draw by Cruzeiro in a result that delivered one unavoidable conclusion: the margin for error is gone and qualification to the knockout stage is now hanging by a thread.

The disallowed late goal from Miguel Merentiel unleashed outrage inside and outside the stadium. Just when the Xeneize seemed to have found the winning strike that would place qualification within touching distance, a VAR review ruled out the play due to a prior handball by Milton Delgado, turning scenes of celebration into pure disbelief.

But behind the controversy lies an uncomfortable truth: Boca once again suffered for failing to finish off a match they controlled for long stretches.

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La Bombonera shifted from hope to tension

For much of the first half, Boca displayed the version supporters had been desperate to see on a pressure-filled Libertadores night. With intensity, high pressing and a dangerous left flank led by Lautaro Blanco and Tomás Aranda, the Argentine side pushed Cruzeiro deep into survival mode.

Goalkeeper Otávio emerged as the biggest reason the scoreline did not reflect Boca’s dominance. Chances piled up, pressure mounted and the opening goal felt inevitable.

Eventually, Miguel Merentiel delivered, tapping in after a brilliant set-piece delivery from Leandro Paredes, igniting La Bombonera and creating the feeling that Boca were on their way to a much calmer evening.

Cruzeiro responded and Boca suffered when it mattered most

The second half told a very different story. Cruzeiro returned with renewed energy, found space and struck at exactly the wrong moment for Boca. Fágner’s equalizer, following a move built down the left flank, silenced a stadium that had been full of belief.

The blow was both emotional and tactical. Boca lost confidence, dropped deeper and surrendered mental control of the match.

At one stage, Cruzeiro even looked closer to grabbing a winner than the home side looked to regaining the lead. The fragility once again raised doubts around a team that repeatedly seems to complicate matches when momentum is on its side.

The dismissal of Gerson, after a reckless challenge on Paredes, appeared to shift momentum back in Boca’s favor. With a numerical advantage, Boca pushed Cruzeiro deeper and deeper, though often driven more by desperation than clarity.

Boca now face anger and uncertainty

The final image perfectly summarized the night: players protesting, supporters furious and an overwhelming feeling of a wasted opportunity.

VAR delivered the biggest controversy of the evening. The Xeneize threw away a lead, once again relied on isolated moments and allowed a struggling opponent to grow into the match.

Now, the draw turns the upcoming clash against Universidad Católica into a genuine final. There will be no room for excuses, calculations or regrets.

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