Boca Juniors Eliminated After Goalkeeper Change and Cavani’s Missed Chance
A horror movie script unfolding on the soccer field. That’s how the melancholic elimination of Boca Juniors in the second phase of the Copa Libertadores can be described. One of the most traditional teams in South American soccer bid farewell to the continental competition on Tuesday (25/2) in a cruel fashion.
The team was winning 2-1 against Allianza Lima-PER, a result that would lead the match into a penalty shootout, when Uruguayan star Edinson Cavani missed a decisive opportunity at the 98th minute. Watch the unbelievable miss by the striker:
Cavani missed a sure goal on the last play of the game, sending the match into penalties where Boca Juniors ended up losing 5-4…
— Gabriel Brassalotti (@cleitonpson011) February 26, 2025
In another bizarre moment during the game, goalkeeper Agustín Marchesín, a former Grêmio player, asked to be substituted before the penalty kicks, and Leandro Brey took his place. The substitute goalkeeper did not manage to save any penalty kick attempts in the 5-4 defeat to the Peruvians at La Bombonera.
Consequently, the six-time Libertadores champion will not be participating in any continental tournaments in 2025.