Boca Juniors’s penalties magic is no more. The team coached by Diego Martínez is out of the 2024 Copa Sudamericana after falling 5-4 in a shootout against Cruzeiro. 

The Xeneize looked like the favorite coming into the clash, after winning the first leg of the series 1-0 at the La Bombonera. However, the game was immediately flipped on its head as defender Luís Advíncula was sent off just nine seconds into the game following a harsh tackle on Cruzeiro midfielder Lucas Romero. The Peruvian defender walked off in tears after being instantly sent off, a decision that was ratified by VAR.

It didn’t take long for the Brazilian team to turn its advantage on the pitch into points on the scoreboard. In the 10th minute Midfielder Matheus Henrique was first to a long rebound from Boca’s Sergio Romero after a shot from outside the box and shot it first time to open the score box. Eleven minutes later, midfielder Walace extended the lead after a corner kick, grabbing a rebound from a corner and beating Romero, helped by a deflection off “Pol” Fernández.

Boca kept fighting, and had plenty of chances to shrink the lead, but the coin only fell on the Xeneize’s side in the 48th minute of added time. Defender Cristian Lema headed down a long cross from Fernández, leaving it ripe for the taking of striker Milton Giménez, who scored the final 2-1.

The Argentine team hung on for dear life in the second half, with several key saves from goalkeeper Sergio Romero to keep the score intact. It proved enough to take the series to a penalty shootout.

The format had proven one the team’s strengths last year. The Xeneize reached the 2023 Copa Libertadores final by winning three consecutive shootouts, but this time it wasn’t enough. Despite goalkeeper Romero’s famous skill at penalties, he was unable to save any of the five shots he faced. Striker Miguel Merentiel missed Boca’s last shot, spelling the end of the tournament for Diego Martínez’s team.

“There’s a feeling of sadness, shortcoming, and anger, but I want to highlight this team, which proved itself worthy of this club,” said the coach after the game, adding he had told his players he was proud of what they had done despite the circumstances.

Goalkeeper Romero questioned some of the referee’s decisions, but ultimately agreed with his coach. “These are the kind of defeats that make you stronger. We toughened up after the sending off and we could’ve won it. We did a great job, we know it, and we’re proud of it,” he said in the press conference.

Fans and the Boca higher ups seem to agree. After the game, footage emerged of fans cheering up Merentiel — the team second lead goal scorer, responsible for two in Boca’s 3-2 win against River in April — as the team left the hotel, chanting “Uruguayan, Uruguayan.”

Historic Boca midfielder and current X Mauricio Serna echoed the coach’s take. “It’s during hard times we find our best selves. You fought, you competed and you left our badge very high,” he wrote on Instagram. “I am proud of what you did today in Brazil, proud to belong to this club, proud to love Boca so much. Thank you!”

The good news for Boca was it has now sealed its ticket to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, thanks to Uruguay’s Nacional defeat against Sao Paulo.

Which Argentine teams are still playing the Copa Libertadores and Sudamericana?

Three Argentine teams managed to get through the round of 16 in these international competitions and keep alive their hopes of lifting an international title this year.

River Plate is the last Argentine team in the Copa Libertadores, after it beat Talleres 3-1 on aggregate. Marcelo Gallardo’s team will now face Chile’s Colo Colo in the next round.

In the Copa Sudamericana, Racing and Lanús reached the quarterfinals. La Academia thrashed Chilean outfit Huachipato 8-1 on aggregate and will now face Athlético Paranaense, who beat Belgrano de Córdoba.

The Granate beat tricky competition in Ecuador’s Liga de Quito 5-2 on aggregate, and now awaits Independiente Medellín in the quarterfinals.