Boca's ratings in the rout of Recoleta to reach the quarter-finals

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La Número 12

·19 August 2026

Boca's ratings in the rout of Recoleta to reach the quarter-finals

The forced changes were no inconvenience. Boca thrashed Recoleta 4-0 in Paraguay in the second leg of the Copa Sudamericana round of 16 and sealed the series 7-1 on aggregate. Santiago Ascacibar, Sebastián Villa, Miguel Merentiel, and Alan Velasco were the scorers on an afternoon-evening in Asunción.

The Xeneize is on the rise. The changes fit into Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s system, and with each match they show a level that keeps gradually improving. The squad performed so well that the coach even allowed himself the luxury of handing debuts to two players and giving minutes to those who need confidence and rhythm. Below are the ratings from Boca’s rout of Recoleta.

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Boca’s goals against Recoleta.

Álvaro Montero (7)

A very good save during Boca’s best spell. Ronal Dominguez was through one-on-one, and the Colombian closed him down quickly to shut off every angle. He also launched an important counterattack with a very long kick for Villa to run onto.

Dylan Gorosito (7)

This is nothing revolutionary, but the kid is the real deal. He had a shaky opening few minutes and struggled to mark the Paraguayan forward, but then he settled in and became very important for the team. He played a great one-two with Aranda to make it 2-0.

Nicolás Figal (5)

The weakest in defense. He lost his mark on a through ball and Montero bailed him out. On more than one occasion he struggled to play the ball out cleanly. As the minutes passed, he settled into the game. He also guided Herrera, who was making his debut.

Ayrton Costa (6)

The second center back looked solid and reliable. He won several aerial duels in the opening minutes and responded whenever he was tested. He came off near the end for youngster Herrera.

Lautaro Blanco (6)

He rarely ventured forward. He focused on covering his side and stopping Recoleta’s advances. The one time he joined the attack, he delivered the dangerous cross that is so characteristic of him, and it led to Ascacibar’s goal.

Milton Delgado (8)

Without Paredes, he was Boca’s No. 5. Stationed as the holding midfielder and dropping in between the center backs, he made the team play. He won the ball back, put in challenges, and even had the luxury of assisting Miguel Merentiel to put the game to bed. “Pulmoncito” was key.

Santiago Ascacibar (9)

Our Haaland raised on mate and criollitas. Since Arruabarrena arrived and gave him a more attacking role, he just keeps scoring. Every time he could, he got into the opposition box to offer another attacking option. He won in the air against the Paraguayan defenders and opened the scoring. He not only attacks, but also defends, wins the ball back, and helps build play. Complete.

Tomás Belmonte (6)

A standout match from Toto. He never looked out of place. He adapted to the situation. He recovered possession, positioned himself well, and looked to play simple without taking unnecessary risks. He got stuck in when needed and used his body to win several fouls.

Tomás Aranda (7)

He played as a ‘10,’ where he feels most comfortable. Facing the field and with the defense stretched so he could control the tempo of the match. He had a chance to shoot, but chose to play it wide for Villa. He combined with Gorosito for the Colombian’s great goal. He came off at halftime.

Sebastián Villa (7)

The Colombian got back on the scoresheet in Boca colors. From the opening minute he looked very lively in attack. Before finding the net, he had an early shot that just flew over the crossbar. He got on the end of an Aranda cross and tried a right-footed volley that the goalkeeper saved, but he tucked away the rebound with his left for Boca’s second. Even so, he struggled to shake off his markers. Several poor decisions.

Miguel Merentiel (8)

The Beast is slowly regaining confidence. Out of his natural position, he put in a huge physical shift to exploit every gap in the Paraguayan defense. The first clear chance he had, he buried it. He received the ball from Delgado, beat his man with a subtle nutmeg to go one-on-one with the keeper, and chipped him.

Alan Velasco (8)

He took his chance to raise his level. He came on at halftime aiming to use his quality to land the final blow and kill off the series. He had several efforts on goal. After so many attempts, he got his reward. Cutting inside from the right, he fired powerfully into the top corner, into the roof of the net, to seal the clash.

Camilo Rey Domenech (6)

He had a good match. Arruabarrena gave him the confidence to gradually get minutes after his long recovery. Orderly. He dared to break lines and be the team’s playmaker.

Enner Valencia (5)

He made his Boca debut when he came on 11 minutes into the second half. He became only the second Ecuadorian in history to wear the blue and gold shirt. He had no clear chances in front of Recoleta’s goal. Lively and helpful defensively, especially on corners against.

Kevin Zenón (5)

Involved. He assisted Velasco for the 4-0. He moved all across the front line, although he struggled to get all the way to the byline with real danger. Near the end he gave the ball away.

Facundo Herrera (-)

Too little time to be rated. He made his official debut in a Boca shirt. Jagger came on well. In his first interventions he blocked several shots and won aerial duels. Because of debut nerves, he misplaced a few passes.

Rodolfo Arruabarrena (10)

Rodolfo Arruabarrena. Photo: Christian Alvarenga/Getty Images.

He got everything right. From the setup with Delgado as the lone holding midfielder and Aranda as the ‘10,’ to the substitutions. El Vasco, active as usual, gave his instructions and the players responded. He even allowed himself the luxury of giving debuts to Facundo Herrera and Enner Valencia, who needs minutes to get up to speed and become a key piece for the team.