Racing Club defeated Boca Juniors 1-0 at La Bombonera in the Torneo Clausura 2025 semifinals, thanks to a header from Adrián 'Maravilla' Martínez that ended a 10-match scoring drought. Gustavo Costas' team advanced to the final against the winner of Gimnasia and Estudiantes. Boca's elimination means they miss the 2026 Copa Libertadores, handing River Plate a spot in the Copa Sudamericana.
The match took place on December 7, 2025, at the Alberto J. Armando Stadium, known as La Bombonera, in Buenos Aires. Officiated by Darío Herrera with Silvio Trucco on VAR, the game was intense and physical from the start. The first half ended 0-0, characterized by numerous fouls and yellow cards: Racing received warnings for Juan Nardoni (24' PT), Facundo Mura (43' PT), Marco Di Cesare (48' PT), Nazareno Colombo (11' ST), and others, totaling six.
The second half featured the decisive goal at the 30th minute, when Gabriel Rojas crossed from the left and Martínez headed past Ayrton Costa for the 1-0, his first goal in 11 matches. Minutes earlier, at 26' ST, Boca's coach Claudio Úbeda made a controversial substitution: he removed Exequiel Zeballos and brought on Alan Velasco, sparking surprise and discontent among fans and captain Leandro Paredes, who showed a gesture of disagreement. Boca pressed with crosses and corners from Paredes and Lautaro Blanco but failed to equalize, despite efforts like a shot from Milton Giménez (36' PT) and a header from Facundo Battaglia (50' ST).
Racing, missing Gastón Martirena and Santiago Sosa due to prior ejections, displayed defensive solidity with Facundo Cambeses in goal. Marcos Rojo, former Boca defender now with Racing, was on the bench without playing but celebrated the win exuberantly. Boca's elimination extends their title drought to nearly three years and reshapes the continental landscape: River will play in the 2026 Copa Sudamericana, as announced by CONMEBOL, instead of the Libertadores.
The Torneo Clausura final is set for December 13 at 9:00 PM at Estadio Madre de Ciudades in Santiago del Estero. Gustavo Costas praised his team: 'This team throws itself headfirst.' Úbeda, shaken, justified the change for freshness but did not confirm his future.
