Boca Juniors Defeats River Plate 1-0 in Controversial Superclasico

Boca Juniors secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over arch-rival River Plate in the Superclasico at La Bombonera. The decisive moment came via a goal from Lautaro Di Lollo, lifting Boca in the standings and deepening a difficult period for their historic rivals.

The match featured significant controversy and disciplinary action, with River Plate finishing the contest down two defenders. Lucas Martínez Quarta was shown a red card after bringing down Miguel Merentiel during a clear scoring opportunity, and teammate Gonzalo Montiel was later ejected in the second half following a harsh challenge on Lautaro Blanco.

The defeat marks a historic low for River Plate's leadership. Stefano Di Carlo became the first president in the club's history to lose his first three Superclasicos since taking office, following previous losses in 2025 and earlier in 2026.

Following the match, River staff voiced strong frustration over officiating and the use of video review technology. Representative Leonardo Ponzio criticized referees and the VAR system after the final whistle, arguing that key decisions consistently disadvantage his squad and disrupt the flow of the game.

Ponzio expressed deep dissatisfaction with how crucial calls were handled during the fixture. "The VAR interferes in many cases against us," Ponzio stated, demanding greater consistency and uniformity in rule enforcement to protect the sporting spectacle.

Meanwhile, the victory resonated far beyond Buenos Aires. European-based players and recognized fans, including FC Porto forward Santiago Giménez, celebrated the result online, sharing moments in the blue and gold colors of the Xeneize.

With this triumph, Rodolfo Arruabarrena's squad climbed to the top of the annual aggregate table. Boca Juniors will look to maintain their momentum when they host Defensa y Justicia at La Bombonera.