Boca gets its referee for the Sudamericana return leg against Vasco da Gama

There is now a referee set for the return leg that could put Boca Juniors one step away from the final. Venezuelan official Jesus Valenzuela has been appointed to take charge of the semifinal second leg between Vasco da Gama and the Xeneize, a match set for Tuesday, October 20 at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, kicking off at 9:30 p.m.

It's no small detail for Boca: Valenzuela's history with the Argentine club shows two wins, two draws and one loss. A fairly even record, though it leans slightly more in the Xeneize's favor.

Valenzuela won't be working alone. He'll be joined by fellow Venezuelans Jorge Urrego as first assistant and Tulio Moreno on the second line, while Juan Soto will handle the VAR. An all-Venezuelan officiating crew for a night that promises tension on every play.

Boca needs to flip the script

The first leg at La Bombonera left a bitter taste for Rodolfo Arruabarrena's side: Vasco da Gama came away with a 1-0 win, and now the Xeneize must come back as the visiting side, of all places at the Maracana. The good news is the possible return of Leandro Paredes, the team's captain and top player, who missed that match through injury and whose presence could change how the team functions in midfield.

Boca is fighting on multiple fronts this season, and in the Sudamericana there's a huge opportunity at stake: the winner of this tie not only advances to the final but also locks in a direct spot in the 2027 Copa Libertadores. That extra prize adds even more pressure to a night that already carries plenty of history between the two clubs.

Meanwhile, the other semifinal is shaping up to be just as compelling. Brazil's Atletico Mineiro hosted the surprise package of the tournament, Uruguay's Montevideo City Torque, in the first leg and built a commanding lead with a 3-0 win at home. That gap leaves the Uruguayan side facing a nearly impossible task in the return leg, but it also speaks to how competitive and entertaining this edition of the tournament has been.

With Valenzuela as referee and the Maracana as the stage, Boca knows there's no room for error: either they turn the result around, or they bid farewell to their chance of competing for another continental title.