With the new rule: why Boca are second in Libertadores Group D | OneFootball

Boca shares the top spot in Group D with Universidad Católica and Cruzeiro, with 6 points each. However, CONMEBOL’s new 2026 rule completely changes how the table is interpreted in the event of ties. We explain, step by step, how the “Olympic tiebreaker” works, which today is determining the group’s future.

Any Boca fan who takes a quick look at the Group D standings will ask the same question: if the Xeneize has a +3 goal difference and Universidad Católica has +1, why are the Chileans in first place? The answer lies in CONMEBOL’s updated regulations for the 2026 Libertadores.

The usual and historic rule that gave priority to overall goal difference to break ties in the standings no longer applies as the first filter in the event of a tie. It has been replaced by the “Olympic system,” that is, head-to-head results. In this case, the situation is a bit more complex, since it is a three-way tie.

Group D standings

The “mini-league” between Boca, Católica and Cruzeiro

With UC’s win over Barcelona in Guayaquil, Group D now has three leaders with 6 points. Since Barcelona is not part of the discussion, the regulations isolate the three tied leaders and create an exclusive table with the matches played among them.

In those head-to-head matchups, they are still tied in most aspects:

At that point, the next tiebreaker is the one that favors the Cruzados and gives second place to the club from La Ribera, at least for now.

The detail that favors Universidad Católica

Since the tie remains after the first two criteria, CONMEBOL regulations require looking at the third filter: goals scored in this mini-league. That is where Universidad Católica has the edge.

The Chilean side scored 3 goals in its head-to-head matches (one against Boca and two against Cruzeiro). Boca and Cruzeiro, meanwhile, scored 2 goals each in those matchups. In this way, UC breaks the tie and automatically takes first place in the group.

The Xeneize lost to Cruzeiro.

Why did Boca move ahead of Cruzeiro and sit second?

This is where the strictest rule in the CONMEBOL manual comes into play: the no-return rule. The regulations prohibit going back to previous criteria; in other words, you cannot look at the fact that Cruzeiro beat the Xeneize on Matchday 3. Instead, you must move on to the next item on the general list.

The fourth tiebreaker criterion is now overall goal difference, counting all matches, including the Xeneize’s rout of Barcelona at La Bombonera, which gives Claudio Úbeda’s side second place.

That cushion of goals scored against the Guayaquil team on Matchday 2 allows Boca to edge the Brazilians on this fourth criterion and take over second place, remaining in the direct qualification zone for the round of 16.

Boca won 2 and lost 1 in the first three matchdays.

What remains in the group

With half of the stage completed, there are still 3 group matchdays left to play. In the next round, the Xeneize will have to travel to Ecuador to face the team at the bottom of the table, where they are obligated to win because both the Chileans and the Brazilians have already won there.

Matchday 4:

Matchday 5:

Matchday 6:

Keep reading:

Attention Boca: how the Group D standings look after Católica’s win over Barcelona

Boca took another step toward the expansion of La Bombonera

Cruzeiro’s provocation toward Boca fans in Belo Horizonte

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