Boca Juniors suffered a shocking 2-3 defeat at home to Huracán in the round of 16 of the 2026 Apertura tournament, played at La Bombonera on Saturday. The visitors pulled off a major upset in the opening match of the knockout phase.
Huracán took an early lead through Leonardo Gil, who scored in the fourth minute. Boca equalized in the 87th minute via Milton Giménez, forcing extra time. During the added period, Paraguayan forward Oscar Romero emerged as the hero, converting two penalties in the 94th and 103rd minutes to give Huracán the edge. His performance was complemented by Ecuadorian goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez, who made several crucial saves to deny the hosts.
“It’s incredible. We knew we were coming to one of the toughest stadiums. We had to suffer, and then they equalized late, making it even harder because they were playing better than us,” Galíndez said after the match.
Ángel Romero, Oscar’s twin brother, pulled one back for Boca in the 116th minute, but it was not enough to prevent the Xeneize from an early exit in the Apertura.
Huracán finished the game with nine men after Erik Ramírez (105+1′) and Fabio Pereyra (105+2′) were sent off.
The elimination is a heavy blow for Boca, who had already struggled with back-to-back defeats in the Copa Libertadores group stage, their main objective this season. “I have nothing to reproach the players for, but we cannot afford more unforced errors. We were obliged to advance. Now we have two finals against Cruzeiro and Universidad Católica in the Libertadores,” said Boca’s coach Claudio Ubeda.
Globe Strikes Early
The match was filled with drama from the start. Huracán capitalized on a costly mistake from the home side’s buildup play. Milton Delgado received the ball from goalkeeper Leandro Brey but lost possession under pressure, allowing Gil to cut inside and fire a low cross-shot past the keeper.
Boca pushed for an equalizer but found Galíndez in top form. He made three impressive saves, denying a header from Miguel Merentiel, a powerful strike from Delgado, and a deflected header from Blondel that struck the crossbar.
Adding to Boca’s woes, Paraguayan striker Adam Bareiro, their main attacking threat, left the pitch before the half-hour mark due to a muscle injury.
Just as Huracán seemed headed for victory, fortune smiled on the hosts. In the 87th minute, Leandro Paredes sent a cross into the box. Galíndez punched the ball away, but it ricocheted off Milton Giménez’s back and rolled into the net.
Boca had one last chance to win it in the sixth minute of stoppage time, but Giménez fired high from close range.
In extra time, Luciano Di Lollo conceded a penalty for a foul on Juan Bisanz. Oscar Romero, who previously played for Boca, calmly slotted home to make it 2-1. Minutes later, a handball from Di Lollo led to another penalty, and Romero converted again with a similar finish for Huracán’s third. His twin brother Ángel Romero pulled one back in the 116th minute, but it was too little, too late.
Huracán will face Argentinos Juniors in the quarterfinals. Earlier, Argentinos Juniors eliminated Lanús 2-0 with goals from Francisco Álvarez (27′) and Alan Lescano (90+6′) at the Diego Maradona Stadium in Buenos Aires.
Surprise Shocker: Independiente Rivadavia Eliminated
Another surprise unfolded in Mendoza, where league leaders Independiente Rivadavia were knocked out. The Lepra, who topped the regular season and have already secured a spot in the Copa Libertadores round of 16, lost 1-2 at home to Unión.
The Santa Fe side, which entered the playoffs as the eighth seed, took the lead with a brilliant goal from Brian Cuello (33′) and a strike from Cristian Tarragona (49′). Fabrizio Sartori pulled one back in the 69th minute, but Unión held on for the win.