But what a great goal! Leonel Flores extends the score in Sarmiento x Boca Juniors for the 2026 Argentine Cup

Adrenaline takes over the pitches in the 2026 Copa Argentina, with the electrifying clash between Sarmiento and Boca Juniors, which takes place this Thursday, July 16th. At the moment, Boca Juniors has the upper hand with a two-goal lead to zero over Sarmiento, in a match valid for the round of 16 of the competition. With the emotion at its peak, the clock already marks 77 minutes of the second half, and the game continues with intensity, promising more twists and turns for the fans to follow each move.

The goals that put Boca Juniors ahead were scored by Alan Velasco and Leonel Flores, in crucial moments of the second half. The match, which continues at a fast pace, features decisive plays and a fierce dispute for each possession of the ball, keeping the public in suspense about the outcome of this important clash in the Argentine football scene.

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The goals that move the score in the final stage

The second half of the match brought the intensity that was lacking in the first 45 minutes of the match. It was in the 51st minute that Alan Velasco opened the scoring for Boca Juniors, with a precise right-footed finish from outside the area. This goal completely changed the dynamics of the game, forcing Sarmiento to go more attacking in search of a draw. The Xeneize team knew how to take advantage of the moment and, shortly afterwards, managed to increase their advantage, intensifying the pressure on their opponent.

In the 71st minute, Boca Juniors consolidated their lead with a great goal from Leonel Flores. The player finished with his right foot, from the right of the area, catching Sarmiento’s defense by surprise and putting the ball in the back of the net. The move, which generated great celebration among fans and the technical team, reinforces Boca’s offensive efficiency and the opponent’s difficulty in containing its advances.

Key moments from the ongoing match

Follow the main moments and events that marked the duel between Sarmiento and Boca Juniors, detailing the intensity and decisions made on the field until the 77th minute of the second half. The match continues with great expectations:

• Intense start and first fouls (2nd and 18th minutes):Right at the beginning of the game, the physical dispute was present. Milton Delgado, from Boca Juniors, suffered a foul in the defensive field, committed by Julián Contrera from Sarmiento, indicating aggressive marking. Later, in the 18th minute, Thiago Santamaría, also from Sarmiento, received a yellow card for a dangerous challenge on Alan Velasco, underlining the initial tension of the match and the heated atmosphere on the field.
• Opportunities missed by Boca in the first half (32nd and 38th minutes):Despite a greater volume of play and several attempts, Boca Juniors were unable to convert their chances before the break. In the 32nd minute, Santiago Ascacíbar wasted a great opportunity, finishing with his left foot from the middle of the area. Minutes later, at 38, Milton Delgado also had a clear chance when he finished with his right foot, but without success, keeping the score zero.
• Opening of the scoring by Alan Velasco (51st minute):The second half brought the emotion that was missing. In the 51st minute, Alan Velasco, from Boca Juniors, demonstrated precision and technique when he opened the scoring with a precise right-footed finish from outside the area. This goal was crucial to break the balance and give the long-awaited advantage to the Xeneize team.
• Sarmiento’s strategic substitutions (57th and 70th minutes):After conceding the first goal, coach Facundo Sava, from Sarmiento, sought to react with tactical changes. In the 57th minute, Manuel Garcia and Elián Giménez entered the field. Later, at 70, Julián Mavilla and Diego Churin were called in, in an attempt to oxygenate the attack and defense to seek the much-desired draw and try to reverse the unfavorable situation.
• Expansion of the advantage with Leonel Flores (71st minute):In the 71st minute, Boca Juniors consolidated their lead with a goal from Leonel Flores. The player finished with his right foot from the right side of the area, surprising Sarmiento’s defense and extending the lead to 2-0, confirming the team’s good form and the offensive effectiveness it had been demonstrating.
• Result management and more Boca substitutions (73rd minute):Shortly after the second goal, Boca Juniors coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena made strategic substitutions. Carlos Palacios replaced Alan Velasco, and Kevin Zenón replaced Leonel Flores, who scored the goals. These changes aim to manage wear and tear and maintain possession of the ball in the final minutes, controlling the match and the advantage on the scoreboard.
• Pressure from Sarmiento in search of a reaction (74th minute):Even with the disadvantage on the scoreboard, Sarmiento didn’t give up fighting. In the 74th minute, Elián Giménez had an opportunity to reduce the score with a right-footed shot from the right side of the area, but the attempt was not successful, keeping the score 0-2 and the team having difficulty reacting.

Tactical analysis and strategic moves

The initial formations reveal different approaches to the confrontation for the Copa Argentina. Sarmiento entered the field with a 4-5-1 formation, seeking defensive solidity and exploring counterattacks, led by captain J. M. Insaurralde in defense and J. Marabel in attack. Boca Juniors opted for a 4-2-3-1, with M. Merentiel as captain, aiming for greater offensive power and midfield control, taking advantage of the speed of players like Alan Velasco and Leonel Flores on the wings to create dangerous plays.

Coach Facundo Sava, from Sarmiento, sought to react to the disadvantages with multiple substitutions. The entry of Manuel Garcia and Elián Giménez in the 57th minute, and later Julián Mavilla and Diego Churin in the 70th, aimed to breathe new life into the team and explore new offensive options. These changes demonstrate the attempt to adjust the team to contain Boca’s advance and seek the goal that could put the team back into the game.

On the other hand, Rodolfo Arruabarrena, coach of Boca Juniors, also made strategic moves to maintain the advantage. The replacements of Alan Velasco and Leonel Flores, the scorers of the goals, with Carlos Palacios and Kevin Zenón, respectively, in the 73rd minute, indicate squad management and the search to maintain offensive intensity without wearing out its main players, in addition to strengthening marking and ball possession in the final minutes.

The midfield battle and missed chances

During the first half, the game was marked by a strong battle in midfield and few clear chances to score. Both teams had difficulty breaking through opposing defenses, resulting in blocked shots and missed opportunities. Boca Juniors, even with a greater volume of play and more offensive presence, were unable to convert their chances into goals before the break, which kept the score level and the tension for the second half.

Sarmiento’s defense, despite being well placed at times, was unable to contain Boca’s pressure in the second half. The entry of more offensive players on Boca’s side, combined with the finishing ability of Velasco and Flores, unbalanced the match and resulted in two goals. The chances missed by Sarmiento, such as Santiago Salle in the 60th minute and Elián Giménez in the 74th, show that the team also created opportunities, but lacked the aim to reverse the situation.

Expectations for the final minutes and fate in the Copa Argentina

With the score 0-2 and the clock approaching 77 minutes, the pressure is total on Sarmiento to seek a reaction in the few remaining moments. The team needs two goals to equalize and take the decision to extra time or penalties, a challenging task against a Boca Juniors team that seems to control the pace of the game. The last minutes will be crucial to decide which team will advance to the next phase of the 2026 Copa Argentina.

There is still a lot of emotion at stake, and football, as we know, is unpredictable. Fouls, yellow cards and substitutions made by both coaches indicate that the battle on the field remains intense and that the score can be changed at any time. Sarmiento fans still dream of a comeback, while Boca Juniors fans are already starting to see qualification. The outcome of this match promises moments of pure tension and adrenaline until the final whistle. The game is not over yet.