Boca heads to the Maracana to face Vasco da Gama with a Copa Sudamericana final on the line

Boca is putting everything on the line in Rio de Janeiro. Nothing less. On Tuesday, October 20, Boca travels to face Vasco da Gama at the legendary Maracana Stadium for the second leg of the Copa Sudamericana semifinals, with a spot in the final awaiting whoever can pull off the upset in this tie.

The key fact heading into the match is simple: Vasco won the first leg by a single goal, so they arrive with the advantage in hand and the chance to close out the tie on home turf. Boca, meanwhile, needs to flip the script away from La Bombonera, something the club has pulled off before on Sudamericana nights. Will that same road heroics that has carried Boca deep into CONMEBOL competitions so many times show up once more?

What to watch on each side

Vasco da Gama has two names that make the difference. Santi Sosa is the Argentine midfielder who runs the show and dictates his team's rhythm, while Adson brings the kind of attacking unpredictability that can break open a tight match.

On Boca's side, all eyes are on Leandro Paredes. The captain isn't at his physical best, but his experience tends to carry weight in big moments, and he's expected to push through to start the match. Alongside him, Leonel Flores stands out as the young option to change the game: his speed and skill make him a threat capable of breaking down any defensive setup thrown at him.

How both teams arrive

Neither side has had the chance to rest ahead of this clash. Boca won its last home game against Talleres at La Bombonera in the 2026 Torneo Clausura, while Vasco fell to Sao Paulo in the Brasileirao. What stands out is that neither coach chose to rest their starters with the second leg in mind, so both teams arrive at this match with plenty of minutes already in their legs.

For those looking to watch live, kickoff is at 9:30 p.m. (Argentina, Uruguay and Chile) and 7:30 p.m. (Colombia, Peru and Ecuador), with the broadcast available through the Disney+ Premium plan, exclusive to South America.

With the tie hanging on a single goal, the Maracana promises a night that will be played with hearts in throats. Vasco is defending a slim but real advantage; Boca needs once again that blend of know-how and courage that made the club great on fields like this one.