Boca Juniors kicked off the year with a 0-0 draw against Colombia's Millonarios in the Copa Miguel Ángel Russo, a friendly at La Bombonera honoring the late coach. Exequiel Zeballos missed a crucial late penalty, with the match marked more by emotion than action. Claudio Úbeda, newly confirmed as coach, led his first official game.
The January 14, 2026, match at La Bombonera started at 7 PM Argentina time and aired on Disney+. Boca, led by Claudio Úbeda, fielded Agustín Marchesín in goal; Juan Barinaga, Lautaro Di Lollo, Ayrton Costa, and Lautaro Blanco in defense; Ander Herrera, Leandro Paredes, and Milton Delgado in midfield; and Brian Aguirre, Miguel Merentiel, and Exequiel Zeballos up front. Millonarios lined up with Guillermo De Amores; Samuel Martín, Sergio Mosquera, Sebastián Valencia, and Álex Paz at the back; David Silva, Rodrigo Ureña, Sebastián Del Castillo, and Álex Castro in midfield; and Julián Angulo and Rodrigo Contreras in attack, coached by Hernán Torres.
Boca dominated possession in the first half, with chances including a header from Lautaro Di Lollo at minute 7 that narrowly missed the crossbar and a free kick from Leandro Paredes at 47 that grazed the corner. In the second, Miguel Merentiel squandered two clear opportunities: a shot over the bar at 11 and another off the crossbar at 27. Millonarios had a chance at 17 through Sebastián Valencia, saved by Marchesín.
The decisive moment came at 42 of the second half: Jorge Arias fouled Zeballos in the box, and referee Ariel Penel awarded a penalty. Zeballos took it at 43, but De Amores saved it. Úbeda subbed Herrera for Williams Alarcón at halftime.
After the match, Paredes and Radamel Falcao led an emotional tribute to Miguel Ángel Russo, who coached both clubs and died in October 2025. Each team lifted a symbolic trophy. During halftime, a fan proposed to his Dutch girlfriend in the stands, the moment going viral. Úbeda disclosed that Juan Román Riquelme offered him to stay on as coach after a prior talk.
Boca played with absences due to injuries, like Milton Giménez and Edinson Cavani, and only one new signing. The next friendly is January 18 against Olimpia in San Nicolás.
