Boca lost in Ecuador: how Libertadores Group D stands

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La Número 12

·6 May 2026

Boca lost in Ecuador: how Libertadores Group D stands

Boca suffered an unexpected setback in Ecuador. On matchday four of the Copa Libertadores group stage, Boca lost 1-0 to Barcelona SC, suffering their second consecutive away defeat. Despite the blow, the statistical outlook remains open and qualification will depend on their strength at home.

With this result, the group is wide open. Universidad Católica, Boca, and Cruzeiro are temporarily tied at the top with 6 points. However, the Chilean side is currently in first place ahead of the Xeneize, applying the Olympic tiebreaker criterion used in this edition of the Copa Libertadores.

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The updated standings

Xeneize lost 1-0 to Barcelona. Photo: Franklin Jacome/Getty Images.

What Boca need to reach the Round of 16

The team from La Ribera has a mathematical advantage based on the schedule and how the group was set up due to being a top seed. Having already gone through the toughest stretch, playing three of their four matches away from home, the final two matchdays will be at La Bombonera.

By winning their 2 remaining matches, Úbeda’s team will be in the Round of 16. Photo: Franklin Jacome/Getty Images.

Win both home matches (ideal scenario): If Boca beat Cruzeiro and Universidad Católica at home, they will reach 12 points. With that total, they would secure their place in the Round of 16 and would have a strong chance of qualifying in first place.
Win one and draw the other: They would reach 10 points. In this scenario, qualification is possible, but it would start to depend on the result of this matchday 4 game between the Chileans and the Brazilians, as well as those teams’ matches against Barcelona.
The impact of tomorrow’s match: The pending clash between Universidad Católica and Cruzeiro is crucial for projecting the finish. The best result for Claudio Úbeda’s team is a draw. If they split the points, both will move to 7, just one point above Xeneize, forcing them to get results in Argentina and allowing Xeneize to overtake them directly by winning their home matches.

The team let a chance slip away in Guayaquil, but a place in the Round of 16 is still in their hands and will be decided in front of their fans. The margin for error has shrunk, but the key is still at home. Follow all the Copa Libertadores coverage, analysis of upcoming opponents, and updated real-time stats at La Número 12.