La Bombonera erupted once again. Boca Juniors defeated River Plate 2–0 in another heated edition of the Argentine Superclásico, and the result had a double impact: it sealed Boca’s qualification for the 2026 Copa Libertadores and left Marcelo Gallardo and his team in a tough position in the race for a continental spot.

“The dance of the year,” headlined Olé after a night that will live long in the memories of Boca fans. With goals from Exequiel Zeballos and Miguel Merentiel, Claudio Úbeda’s side displayed their best version in a long time — pressing high, playing with intensity, and connecting perfectly with their supporters.

La Bombonera in Libertadores Mode

The victory pushed Boca to the top of Zone A with 26 points, two ahead of Unión de Santa Fe, guaranteeing a direct place in the next Copa Libertadores through the annual standings. The blue-and-gold side not only regained ground in the table but also rediscovered its emotional spark — that fighting spirit its fans demand so passionately.

“It was the game we had to win — for ourselves and for everything Boca represents,” said Leandro Paredes after the match, reflecting the mindset of a team that has regained both confidence and ambition.

The “Changuito” Zeballos Show

The undisputed star of the night was Ezequiel “Changuito” Zeballos, who once again shone when it mattered most. The academy graduate opened the scoring with a stunning solo goal and later set up Miguel “La Bestia” Merentiel with pinpoint precision for the second. His performance set La Bombonera alight and confirmed that Boca have in Zeballos a special kind of player — one who can change games and ignite the crowd.

Even Merentiel acknowledged it after the match: “Changuito is on another level right now. He gives us flair, joy, and confidence. Tonight was all about him.”

River Under Pressure

While it was all celebration in La Ribera, doubts flooded Núñez. The defeat left River in trouble in the aggregate table, with serious risk of missing out on the 2026 Copa Libertadores — something unthinkable just a few months ago.
Marcelo Gallardo’s side, still struggling for consistency in the league, will need to pick up points in the remaining matches and hope for favorable results to avoid missing the tournament they’ve long considered their natural stage.