On a rainy night in Rosario, Newell's Old Boys secured a vital 2-0 victory over Boca Juniors in the 11th round of the Torneo Apertura on March 30, 2025. The match, held at the Coloso Marcelo Bielsa, was marked by several incidents off the pitch and a strong performance from the home side.
Newell's came into the match in desperate need of points, sitting at the bottom of Zone A, while Boca was riding high with six consecutive victories, eager to maintain their position at the top of the table. However, the dynamics shifted quickly as Newell's took control early on.
Just four minutes into the match, Luciano Herrera capitalized on a defensive lapse from Boca to score the opening goal. This early strike set the tone for Newell's, who played with confidence and composure. Herrera's goal was a result of a swift counterattack, showcasing Newell's ability to strike effectively despite Boca's overwhelming possession, which reached 77% during the match.
As the first half progressed, Boca struggled to find their rhythm, frequently resorting to long balls that failed to penetrate Newell's well-organized defense. In a moment of brilliance just before halftime, Luciano Lollo doubled Newell's lead, scoring with a powerful header from an Éver Banega cross. This goal not only solidified Newell's advantage but also sent them into the break with a 2-0 lead, leaving Boca with a challenging task ahead.
The second half saw Boca attempt to claw back into the game, but their efforts were thwarted time and again by Newell's resilient defense and the heroics of goalkeeper Keylor Navas. Newell's nearly extended their lead to three goals multiple times; Carlos González hit the post, and Gonzalo Maroni's shot was also denied by the woodwork. Each missed opportunity for Newell's underscored their attacking prowess and Boca's defensive vulnerabilities.
In a pivotal moment of the match, Edinson Cavani was fouled in the box by Newell's Angelo Martino, leading to a penalty kick for Boca. However, Cavani's attempt was saved by Navas, who not only stopped the initial shot but also denied Rodrigo Battaglia's rebound attempt, keeping the score at 2-0. This miss proved to be a turning point, as it highlighted Boca's struggles to convert their possession into meaningful chances.
Throughout the match, Newell's head coach Cristian Fabbiani made strategic substitutions to maintain their lead, bringing on players like Saúl Salcedo and Fernando Cardozo to bolster their defense as Boca pressed for a goal. Despite Boca's attempts to regain control, they were unable to break down Newell's organized setup, which was content to absorb pressure and counterattack.
The match was not without its controversies. Prior to kickoff, there were delays due to projectiles thrown from the stands, injuring Boca's substitute goalkeeper Leandro Brey. The atmosphere in the stadium was tense, with Boca fans expressing their frustration towards the officiating and the home side's tactics.
As the final whistle blew, Newell's celebrated a crucial victory that not only lifted them off the bottom of the table but also ended Boca's impressive winning streak. With this result, Newell's climbed to 11th place in Zone A, now with 11 points, while Boca remained in contention for the top spot but failed to capitalize on their dominant possession.
Looking ahead, Newell's will seek to build on this momentum as they prepare to face Kimberley in the Copa Argentina, while Boca will need to regroup quickly to maintain their championship aspirations against Barras Central in their next match.
The historical rivalry between these two teams continues, with Newell's and Boca having faced each other 170 times in the Argentine top flight, with Boca leading the series with 74 victories to Newell's 46. This latest encounter only adds another chapter to their storied competition.
As the season progresses, both teams will be looking to solidify their positions in the league, making every match crucial in their respective quests for success.
