After draw with Cruzeiro, what Boca need to reach Libertadores last 16 | OneFootball

After the draw with Cruzeiro, which left its qualification hopes in a more difficult spot, Xeneize is now hoping for a helping hand from the clash between the other two teams in Copa Libertadores Group D.

On a night full of controversy at La Bombonera, Boca could not overcome Cruzeiro and ended up with a draw that felt like too little, leaving it in an even tougher position in its bid to reach the round of 16. At this point, Xeneize is forced to win in the final matchday if it wants to secure a place in the next round without depending on anyone else.

However, a favorable result in this Thursday’s match (9:30 p.m.) between Universidad Católica and Barcelona SC could change the outlook and give Claudio Úbeda’s team a bigger margin for error.

What result would suit Boca best in Chile? The best possible outcome is a Barcelona win. Why? Because if Universidad Católica lose, Xeneize will only need a draw in the final matchday at La Bombonera to reach the round of 16. In other words, one point would be enough, since both teams would finish on eight points and Boca would advance on the head-to-head tiebreaker.

What happens in Brazil on that decisive matchday would not change the equation, and any result would end up favoring the team from La Ribera under this scenario. Specifically: if Cruzeiro win or draw against Barcelona, they will qualify for the round of 16, and Boca will also advance thanks to the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Chileans, after its away win.

On the other hand, if the Brazilian side lose to Darío Benedetto’s team, then the Ecuadorians will finish as group leaders and there will be a three-way tie for second place. In that case, Xeneize would also qualify because, with points, goal difference, and goals scored in the head-to-head matchups all level, its better overall goal difference would prevail.

The worst-case scenario for Boca in Chile

The most unfavorable equation for Boca would be for Universidad Católica to win or draw against Barcelona, because that result would force them to beat the Chilean side no matter what on the final matchday at La Bombonera. In that case, a draw would no longer be enough: Boca would be eliminated because, even if Cruzeiro lose to the Ecuadorians, it would still go out on the head-to-head tiebreaker.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.