Boca, with Apertura last-16 rival all but set: when and where | OneFootball

Boca has -almost- secured its opponent in the Round of 16 because the regular season of the 2026 Apertura Tournament is coming to a close and the playoff bracket is starting to take its final shape. With most of this Sunday’s matchday already played, Zone B finalized its mid-table positions, confirming which team will cross paths with the Xeneize in the first knockout tie.

Sunday’s action cleared up all doubts regarding the seventh qualifier from Zone B. In a direct matchup that drew plenty of attention, Racing and Huracán drew 0-0. That result allowed the Parque Patricios side to reach 22 points and definitively secure seventh place in the standings. As a result, it will be Boca’s opponent in the first knockout clash.

It is important to point out that, although Huracán will no longer move from its position, absolute confirmation of the matchup depends on one final game in Zone A: this Monday, Vélez hosts Newell's. For El Fortín to push Boca out of second place, it would need a historic win by seven goals or more. Unless that football miracle happens, the Xeneize will officially finish as Estudiantes’ runner-up and seal its clash with El Globo.

Diego Martínez’s Huracán will be the Xeneize’s opponent.

When and where Boca will play in the Round of 16

With home-field advantage secured thanks to its strong campaign in the group stage, the team will play this crucial match at La Bombonera.

The tournament organizers scheduled the Round of 16 ties for the weekend of Sunday, May 10. Fans can already mark their calendars, although the exact day and kickoff time still await official confirmation from the Professional Football League authorities.

La Bombonera will host the Round of 16 clash.

The Temple is getting ready to dress up for the opening of the knockout rounds. The road to the title will leave no room for distractions, as there will be no tomorrow with a single-match format at the stadium of the better-ranked team from the first phase.

Beyond the Round of 16

The good news regarding home advantage does not end there for the club from La Ribera. Having finished in second place, Boca has also secured the right to play the Quarterfinals at its own stadium, if it gets past Huracán.

Looking a little further ahead, the outlook is extremely favorable. If the Xeneize manages to reach the tournament’s final four, there is only one scenario in which it would play away in the Semifinals: if its opponent is Independiente Rivadavia.

The Mendoza-based "Lepra" was the only team to finish top of Zone B (with 34 points) and, by having a better seeding, would have the right to host that hypothetical match in Mendoza. Against any other opponent coming from that side of the bracket, Boca would once again decide the tie at its own stadium.

Keep reading:

Boca has Adam Bareiro’s replacement: “I think it’ll be my turn”

Boca and its next match after the win in Santiago: opponent, day and time

Despite the win, Boca could not finish first in Zone A of the 2026 Apertura

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