Alianza Lima shocked the footballing world on February 25, 2025, by eliminating Boca Juniors from the Copa Libertadores, achieving this feat through the intense drama of penalty shootouts after the match ended 2-1 during regular time.
The thrilling confrontation took place at the famed La Bombonera stadium, attracting around 54,000 passionate fans hoping to witness Boca Juniors continue their path through the tournament. The home team started strong, taking the lead when Miguel Trauco inadvertently scored an own goal just five minutes after kickoff. His attempt to cut off a cross from Saracchi wound up catching the corner of the net, sending the Boca faithful roaring with anticipation.
But Alianza Lima wasn’t about to fold under pressure. Just over ten minutes later, at the 19-minute mark, Hernán Barcos equalized for the visitors. He executed a precise header after receiving a beautifully placed cross from Ceppelini. Just like, the match turned from destiny favoring Boca to being wide open once more.
Boca Juniors, known for their aggressive style of play, maintained significant possession, and their pushes paid off again. Kevin Zenón found the net with the second goal for Boca Juniors, making it 2-1 just before the mid-point of the second half, after converting from a set-piece opportunity when he capitalized on a rebound from a header by Rojo off the crossbar.
Every moment became increasingly dramatic as both teams battled for control of the game. Alianza Lima aimed to fight back, tasking their forwards to penetrate Boca’s defense. A near miss arose when Cavani found himself with just the goalkeeper to beat, but shockingly, he failed to convert, missing what will go down as one of the easiest opportunities of his career.
With regulation time ticking away and adrenaline pumping, the scoreboard showed 2-1 for Boca Juniors as both teams braced for the swirling unpredictability of the penalty shootout. Alianza Lima displayed remarkable composure during this high-stakes moment. Each player stepped up and delivered with precision, converting their penalties flawlessly, leading up to the fifth and decisive strike.
The spotlight turned to Boca Juniors, and panic ensued when Alan Velasco stepped forward for the last mandatory penalty kick. Guillermo Viscarra, Alianza's goalkeeper, emerged as the hero of the night. His magnificent save thwarted Velasco's attempt, securing Alianza's victory of 5-4 on penalties.
This unexpected triumph marks Alianza Lima's progression to the next round, where they will face Deportes Iquique, who also advanced after eliminating Santa Fé through penalties. Meanwhile, Boca Juniors exits prematurely, much to the disbelief of their fans and analysts alike.
The match provided ample excitement, with its ups and downs capable of resting heavy on viewers’ hearts. Fans the world over celebrated Alianza Lima’s tenacity, exemplifying their growth and resilience as they continue their pursuit of Copa Libertadores glory.