On a night when Boca Juniors needed a spark to reignite their Torneo Clausura campaign, the Xeneize delivered a five-star performance that left fans roaring and Newell’s Old Boys reeling. With a commanding 5-0 victory at La Bombonera on October 5, 2025, Boca not only snapped a three-match winless streak but also vaulted themselves from ninth to first place in Zone A—sharing the summit with Unión de Santa Fe, Estudiantes de La Plata, and Barracas Central. For Newell’s, the loss was a bitter pill, marking the first time in a decade that they conceded five goals in a single match, a stat that will surely haunt coach Cristian ‘Ogro’ Fabbiani as questions swirl about his future.
From the opening whistle, Boca set the tone, eager to erase recent disappointments and climb back into playoff contention. The stakes were clear: after drawing with Rosario Central and Central Córdoba, then falling to Defensa y Justicia, Boca’s playoff hopes were teetering. With head coach Miguel Ángel Russo sidelined due to health concerns, Claudio Úbeda again took the reins, repeating his lineup from the previous fixture—a decision that paid off handsomely.
Boca’s starting eleven featured Agustín Marchesín in goal; a backline of Juan Barinaga, Lautaro Di Lollo, Ayrton Costa, and Lautaro Blanco; a midfield quartet of Brian Aguirre, Rodrigo Battaglia, Leandro Paredes, and Alan Velasco; and the strike partnership of Miguel Merentiel and Milton Giménez. Newell’s, meanwhile, started with Juan Espínola in goal and fielded familiar faces like Darío Benedetto up front, hoping for a spark against his former club.
The match kicked off under the floodlights at 19:00 local time, with referee Sebastián Zunino and VAR official Pablo Dóvalo overseeing the proceedings. Boca wasted no time stamping their authority. Just seven minutes in, Barinaga curled in a pinpoint cross and Giménez, demonstrating the instincts that made him a key signing, nodded home the opener. The stadium erupted—was this the night Boca would break their drought?
Momentum continued to build. By the 24th minute, Boca doubled their lead. Another Barinaga delivery found Giménez, who played a clever layoff to Merentiel. Though Merentiel’s shot struck the post, the rebound fell kindly for Giménez, who slotted in his second of the evening. The brace capped a blistering first half for the forward, who nearly completed a hat-trick before the interval.
The defense, often criticized in recent weeks, held firm. Di Lollo and Costa stifled Newell’s advances, with Costa particularly impressive. In the 32nd minute, Costa capped a surging run by starting and finishing a move that left Newell’s defenders flat-footed, making it 3-0. It was Costa’s first goal for Boca, a milestone that drew wild cheers from the stands.
Newell’s, for their part, struggled to find a foothold. A rare chance fell to Carlos González, but his shot drifted wide, and Boca’s Marchesín remained largely untested. The first half closed with Boca firmly in control, the scoreline reflecting their dominance and collective hunger.
The second half saw Boca’s intensity undimmed. Just five minutes after the restart, Velasco—who had been lively throughout—threaded a pass to Giménez. Instead of going for his hat-trick, Giménez unselfishly set up Brian Aguirre, who finally broke a 20-match goal drought by slotting home the fourth. Aguirre’s relief was palpable, though he refrained from an exuberant celebration out of respect for his former club. According to match reports, "The Law of the Ex was present in La Bombonera for the 4-0," a nod to Aguirre’s history with Newell’s.
By the 60th minute, Boca was playing with freedom and confidence. Substitutions brought fresh legs and new energy. Ander Herrera replaced Velasco, returning to action at La Bombonera after months out. Williams Alarcón and Exequiel Zeballos entered for Aguirre and Merentiel, maintaining the team’s high tempo. Zeballos nearly added a sixth, only to be denied by Espínola’s reflex save.
The fifth and final goal arrived in the 75th minute, as Lautaro Blanco surged forward and fired a low shot past Espínola. It marked Blanco’s first career goal—a fitting reward for his tireless runs down the left flank. The fans responded with thunderous applause, recognizing the defender’s breakthrough moment.
Leandro Paredes, wearing the captain’s armband, orchestrated play from midfield with his trademark composure and vision. He drew ovations for his long-range efforts and ability to dictate the pace, embodying the leadership Boca craved in recent weeks. As one report noted, "The world champion always stands out. Last week, speed was missing, and he provided it. This time, he controlled the rhythm and was effective."
At the back, Marchesín had little to do but responded well when called upon, earning solid reviews from multiple outlets. The defensive unit, marshaled by Costa and Di Lollo, ensured Boca kept a clean sheet—a crucial boost to team confidence. Barinaga, often unfairly criticized, silenced doubters with two assists and a tireless display on the right.
For coach Claudio Úbeda, the victory was vindication. His decision to stick with the same lineup paid dividends, and his substitutions helped see out a comprehensive win. The result propelled Boca to the top of Zone A, reigniting their playoff push and restoring belief among supporters. "This will be his chance to set the team on the right path, as for some reason only this tournament can explain, they are now leading," one analyst quipped.
Newell’s, languishing near the foot of the table, left the capital with more questions than answers. Conceding five goals for the first time since 2015, their defensive frailties were exposed, and Fabbiani’s tenure as coach now hangs in the balance.
As the dust settled at La Bombonera, Boca’s emphatic response to adversity was the talk of Argentina’s football world. With key players regaining form and new heroes emerging, the Xeneize faithful can once again dream of silverware. The road ahead remains challenging, but on this unforgettable night, Boca Juniors announced—loud and clear—that they are back in the hunt.
