Barcelona SC Edges Boca Juniors 1-0 in Rain-Soaked Libertadores Clash

Key facts

• Barcelona SC defeated Boca Juniors 1-0 on May 5, 2026, in Guayaquil.
• Héctor Villalba scored the only goal in the 73rd minute after a counterattack started by Jhonny Quiñónez.
• Both teams finished with ten players: Santiago Ascacíbar (Boca) and Milton Céliz (Barcelona) were sent off.
• Boca goalkeeper Leandro Brey left the field in the 20th minute with a rib injury after a collision with Byron Castillo.
• Brey had been starting due to Agustín Marchesín's severe right knee injury suffered in the previous match against Barcelona.
• Barcelona's win was its first in six Libertadores matches, earning its first points in Group D.
• Boca Juniors remains on six points, level with Universidad Católica and Cruzeiro in the group.
• Heavy rain in Guayaquil left the pitch in poor condition, affecting play.

A Gritty Victory Under Torrential Rain

Barcelona SC snapped a six-match winless streak in the Copa Libertadores with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Boca Juniors on Tuesday night at a rain-soaked Estadio Monumental in Guayaquil. The match, played under relentless downpours that left the pitch waterlogged, saw both teams reduced to ten men and Boca losing its starting goalkeeper to injury early on. Héctor Villalba scored the decisive goal in the 73rd minute, finishing a swift counterattack initiated by Jhonny Quiñónez. The goal gave Barcelona its first points in Group D and lifted the Ecuadorian side off the bottom of the standings.

Early Injury and Red Cards Shape the Contest

The match took a dramatic turn in the 20th minute when Boca goalkeeper Leandro Brey was forced off with a rib injury following a collision with Barcelona defender Byron Castillo. Brey had been deputizing for Agustín Marchesín, who suffered a severe right knee injury in the previous encounter between the two sides in Buenos Aires last month. Veteran Javier García, 39, replaced Brey for his first Libertadores appearance since 2022 and only his second ever for Boca. García had not played a competitive match since March 2024 against Racing Club. The game grew more chaotic when Boca midfielder Santiago Ascacíbar received a direct red card in the 33rd minute for a high kick to the head of Milton Céliz during a 50-50 challenge. Just before halftime, Céliz himself was sent off for elbowing Leandro Paredes. Both dismissals were confirmed after video review by referee Carlos Bentancur.

Villalba's Strike Decides a Soggy Affair

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Barcelona seized control in the second half. The winning goal came when Quiñónez launched a rapid counterattack, finding Villalba, who slotted home past García. The goal ended Barcelona's drought and gave the home side a morale-boosting win. Boca captain Leandro Paredes lamented his team's inability to convert chances, saying, "We created plenty of opportunities but couldn't score. The pitch affected us; we couldn't execute what we had prepared." The poor field conditions, exacerbated by hours of heavy rain, made fluid passing nearly impossible.

Group D Standings Tighten After the Result

Barcelona's victory injected new life into Group D, leaving all four teams within striking distance of qualification. Boca Juniors remains on six points, level with Universidad Católica and Cruzeiro, who face each other on Wednesday in Santiago. Barcelona now has three points from four matches, keeping its knockout-stage hopes alive. The result also marked Barcelona's first win in six Libertadores matches, a run that had stretched back to the previous campaign. For Boca, the defeat was a setback after a strong start to the group stage.

Injury Concerns Mount for Boca

Boca's goalkeeping situation has become a growing concern. Leandro Brey's rib injury adds to the absence of Agustín Marchesín, who remains sidelined with a serious knee problem. Javier García's lack of match fitness raises questions about Boca's depth ahead of crucial group-stage fixtures. The club will hope Brey's injury is not long-term, as the young goalkeeper had been impressive since stepping in for Marchesín. The extent of his rib damage has not yet been disclosed.

What Lies Ahead for Both Sides

Barcelona will look to build on this momentum when they travel to face Cruzeiro in the next round of group matches. A win there could lift them into contention for a top-two finish. Boca, meanwhile, must regroup quickly as they host Universidad Católica, knowing that a slip-up could jeopardize their qualification hopes. The tight group standings mean every point is precious. With three matches remaining, the race for the knockout stages is wide open.

The bottom line

• Barcelona SC ended a six-match winless run in the Libertadores with a 1-0 victory over Boca Juniors.
• Héctor Villalba scored the only goal in the 73rd minute after a counterattack by Jhonny Quiñónez.
• Both teams finished with ten men: Santiago Ascacíbar (Boca) and Milton Céliz (Barcelona) were sent off.
• Boca goalkeeper Leandro Brey left with a rib injury in the 20th minute, replaced by 39-year-old Javier García.
• Heavy rain in Guayaquil created difficult pitch conditions that affected both teams' play.
• Boca remains on six points in Group D, level with Universidad Católica and Cruzeiro, while Barcelona has three points.