Vasco vs Boca Juniors Match Report: Boca Win 3-1, Reach Final

Vasco vs Boca Juniors: Boca Stage a Comeback to Reach the Sudamericana Final

By the Striker Report Sports Desk

Boca Juniors produced a memorable performance at the Maracanã on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, defeating Vasco da Gama 3–1 in the second leg of their CONMEBOL Sudamericana semifinal to advance 3–2 on aggregate.

Vasco entered the return leg with a 1–0 advantage after winning in Buenos Aires, but Boca overturned the deficit with a determined attacking performance. Lautaro Di Lollo scored inside the opening four minutes, Miguel Merentiel doubled the visitors’ lead in the 34th minute, and Leandro Paredes sealed the victory with a late goal.

Puma Rodríguez scored for Vasco in the second half, briefly raising hopes of a comeback, but the Brazilian side could not find another equaliser. Boca held on to secure their place in the final, where they will compete for the 2026 Sudamericana title in Barranquilla, Colombia.

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Vasco da Gama vs Boca Juniors: Match Details

Boca Juniors Strike Early to Level the Tie

Boca arrived in Rio knowing that they needed to overturn Vasco’s first-leg advantage. They could hardly have asked for a better start.

Just four minutes into the match, Lautaro Di Lollo headed Boca into the lead following a corner delivered by Lautaro Blanco. The early goal brought the aggregate score level at 1–1 and immediately changed the atmosphere inside the Maracanã.

Vasco now had to respond rather than simply protect their advantage. Boca, meanwhile, gained confidence from their fast start and continued to look for opportunities to attack.

The early breakthrough proved crucial because it placed pressure on the home side and gave Boca the platform they needed to take control of the tie.

Miguel Merentiel Doubles Boca’s Lead

Boca strengthened their position in the 34th minute when Miguel Merentiel scored to make it 2–0 on the night.

The goal put the Argentine side ahead 2–1 on aggregate and left Vasco facing the prospect of elimination. Having begun the match with a one-goal advantage, the Brazilian club now needed to find a way back into the contest.

Boca’s first-half performance demonstrated the importance of taking opportunities early in a knockout match. Their two goals meant Vasco could no longer rely on their first-leg result and had to commit more resources to attack.

The visitors went into the interval with a substantial advantage, while Vasco needed a major improvement after the break.

Puma Rodríguez Gives Vasco Hope

Vasco returned for the second half needing a goal, and Puma Rodríguez delivered one in the 66th minute.

His strike reduced the deficit to 2–1 on the night and brought the aggregate score to 2–2. The goal revived the home crowd and gave Vasco renewed belief that they could complete another comeback.

For a period, the tie was finely balanced. Vasco had found a route back into the contest, while Boca faced the challenge of protecting their advantage under pressure.

The home side needed another goal to take control of the aggregate score, but Boca remained dangerous and continued to look for opportunities to exploit the spaces left by Vasco’s attacking push.

Leandro Paredes Seals Boca’s Place in the Final

The decisive moment arrived in the 88th minute when Leandro Paredes scored for Boca Juniors.

His goal restored Boca’s two-goal advantage on the night and put the visitors ahead 3–2 on aggregate. It was a devastating blow for Vasco, who had worked their way back into the contest through Rodríguez’s second-half strike.

The goal also underlined the value of experience in high-pressure knockout football. Boca had been forced to respond after Vasco made the aggregate score level, but Paredes provided the decisive finish when the tie was still in the balance.

Vasco could not produce another comeback before the final whistle. Boca celebrated a 3–1 victory in Rio and booked their place in the Sudamericana final.

Final Score and Aggregate Result

The result represents a significant turnaround for Boca, who lost the first leg at home but responded with a winning performance in Brazil.

Why Vasco da Gama Were Eliminated

Vasco entered the return match with the advantage and the opportunity to reach the final by avoiding defeat. However, conceding in the opening minutes immediately put pressure on their plans.

Boca’s second goal before halftime made the challenge even more difficult. Vasco eventually found a response through Rodríguez, but the hosts could not protect the aggregate draw after Paredes scored late.

The defeat will be disappointing for Vasco, especially after their disciplined first-leg performance in Buenos Aires. Their inability to contain Boca’s early attacking pressure proved costly in a match where every goal changed the balance of the tie.

Vasco must now turn their attention back to domestic competition and assess how to respond to the disappointment of their continental elimination.

Boca Juniors Show Their Knockout Experience

Boca’s victory was built on three important moments: Di Lollo’s early header, Merentiel’s first-half goal and Paredes’ late finish.

The team showed that it could handle the pressure of playing away from home in a decisive semifinal. Even after Rodríguez brought Vasco back into the tie, Boca found another goal rather than allowing the momentum to remain with the hosts.

Reaching the final is a major achievement for Boca. The club has a rich history in South American competitions, and the result gives its supporters another opportunity to look forward to a continental final.

Boca will now prepare for the title match in Barranquilla on November 21, 2026, as they pursue another Sudamericana trophy.

What Happens Next?

Boca Juniors advance to the 2026 CONMEBOL Sudamericana final, scheduled for November 21 in Barranquilla, Colombia.

Their opponent will be decided by the other semifinal between Atlético Mineiro and Montevideo City Torque. That tie will determine which club joins Boca in the final.

For Vasco, the focus returns to domestic football following the end of their Sudamericana campaign.

Final Verdict

Boca Juniors delivered when it mattered most, defeating Vasco da Gama 3–1 at the Maracanã and advancing 3–2 on aggregate. Di Lollo and Merentiel established the visitors’ advantage in the first half, Rodríguez briefly revived Vasco’s hopes, and Paredes settled the tie with a late goal.

The result was a painful elimination for Vasco after their first-leg win, but a memorable achievement for Boca, who recovered from the home defeat to reach the final.

Final score: Vasco da Gama 1–3 Boca Juniors.

Aggregate: Boca Juniors win 3–2 and advance to the 2026 CONMEBOL Sudamericana final.

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