What Boca need v Cruzeiro, routes to the Libertadores last 16 | OneFootball

Boca’s path in the Copa Libertadores got bogged down more than expected after a promising start. Although the draw had already been seen as the “group of death” and predictions suggested it would not be an easy battle for Claudio Úbeda’s side, the latest back-to-back defeats left them with no margin for error heading into the final two matchdays. The first major test will be Cruzeiro this Tuesday: what do they need?

The Group D standings show Universidad Católica and Cruzeiro at the top with seven points, with the not minor detail that the Chilean side leads on the Olympic tiebreaker (they had won in Brazil). Meanwhile, Boca sit third with six points (for now they would be eliminated), while Barcelona SC are bottom with three points.

Based on that, the first thing worth clarifying is that Boca depend on themselves to qualify for the Copa Libertadores round of 16, considering they will face Cruzeiro and Universidad Católica. What is the outlook?

What Boca need to qualify for the Libertadores round of 16: every possible scenario

-They qualify first in the group, regardless of any other result.

– If they draw with Cruzeiro and beat Universidad Católica, they qualify.

– If they beat Cruzeiro by 2 or more goals and draw with Universidad Católica, they qualify.

– If they beat Cruzeiro by 1 goal and draw with Universidad Católica, they qualify only if the Chileans do not beat Barcelona. If Universidad Católica win that match, Boca will decide 2nd place with the Brazilians on overall goal difference in the group. Boca would finish at +3 and Cruzeiro would need to beat Barcelona by a 3-goal margin to force a tiebreak on goals scored in the group, fewer red cards, fewer yellow cards, or a draw of lots, in that order.

– If they win one and lose one, to qualify in 2nd place they will need Barcelona to get a draw against the same team Boca beat.

– If they draw both matches, they qualify in 2nd place if Barcelona beat Universidad Católica and not Cruzeiro.

– If Barcelona win both, they finish 1st, and Boca, Cruzeiro, and Universidad Católica will break the tie for 2nd place on goal difference in the group, goals scored in the group, fewer red cards, fewer yellow cards, or a draw of lots, in that order.

– If Barcelona beat Cruzeiro and not Universidad Católica, or do not win either match, Boca are eliminated.

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