Boca Juniors Edges Cruzeiro in Copa Sudamericana
In a thrilling first leg of the Copa Sudamericana Round of 16, Boca Juniors triumphed over Cruzeiro 1-0 at La Bombonera, thanks to Edinson Cavani's goal. Despite early struggles against Cruzeiro's pressing, Boca found their rhythm in the second half, culminating in a brilliant team play that led to the decisive strike. The return leg in Brazil promises to be an intense showdown as Boca aims to secure their place in the next round.#BocaJuniors #CopaSudamericana #EdinsonCavani #FootballVictory #SoccerDrama
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00:00Under the overwhelming atmosphere of a packed Bombonera, the solitary goal from the Uruguayan
00:07Matador, marking his fifth in the continental tournament, earned Boca Juniors a hard-fought
00:13victory against Cruzeiro.
00:15The return leg will be in Brazil in a week's time.
00:19With a strike from Edinson Cavani, Boca Juniors secured a 1-0 win this Thursday against Cruzeiro
00:26at La Bombonera during the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana round of 1-6.
00:31A.S. is customary in each cup tie.
00:35The reception for Diego Martinez's team at La Bombonera was colorful, thunderous,
00:41and moving.
00:42Initially, Boca struggled and felt suffocated by Cruzeiro's pressing but still managed
00:49to threaten twice, first with Advincula's cross that Marenchal couldn't connect with,
00:54and then with Cavani's lob attempt, both vigilantly saved by Casio, whom Boca fans
01:00consider a bogeyman.
01:02Cruzeiro, having Argentinians like Captain Lucas Romero, Alvaro Barrio, and Lautaro Diaz
01:10successfully pressed high with an advanced back line and a seamless midfield, particularly
01:15notable were Wallace's defensive efforts and Pereira's skills.
01:21Their tactical setup and continuous movement forced Zenon, ineffective on the left flank,
01:27and Medina, more focused on defending than creating, to play deeper and rushed, thus
01:33disconnecting them from their Uruguayan forwards.
01:37Around the 20-minute mark, Pohl, Fernandez playfully slapped Pereira, leading to an exaggerated
01:43fall and a general scuffle, resulting in yellow cards for both.
01:49Soon after, Chiquito, Romero saved a shot from Diaz, who was offside.
01:56Boca struggled, needing Sara Legui and Zenon to step up, Marenchal to push forward, and
02:02Lautaro Blanco to make more offensive runs.
02:05Eventually, the white-clad opposition controlled the game, unaffected by the tireless chants
02:11from Boca's fans.
02:14Just before halftime, Boca improved, Lima gained confidence, Fernandez upped his defensive
02:21game, Blanco showed more daring, and Marenchal's determination excited the crowd.
02:27Martagani's second half arrival added dynamism on the left, with Zenon moving to the right.
02:34Cruzeiro maintained early pressure, but Boca took control and scored through a brilliant
02:39collective play, initiated by Martagani and assisted exquisitely by Zenon.
02:47Leading to Cavani's goal that sent fans into joyous relief.
02:52Cavani almost doubled the lead when his shot struck the post, and Zenon's follow-up was
02:57heroically saved by Casio in a moment of stellar form.
03:02Later, in a surprising lapse, Chiquito had to make crucial saves from Jorge and Diaz.
03:10Nonetheless, Boca capitalized on their second-half efforts, securing the initial advantage and
03:16setting the stage for the decisive clash in Belo Horizonte next week.