Boca Juniors could not secure a spot in the Copa Libertadores this season and, as a result, will have to settle for the competition they lifted twice two decades ago. The dream of reaching the Copa Libertadores 2024 faded with San Lorenzo’s win, yet a faint spark remained. Earlier exits in the Professional League Cup, the Argentine Cup, and the Annual Review had already dimmed hopes, but a final consolation still lingers: the Copa Sudamericana.
HOW MANY CONSECUTIVE PARTICIPATIONS DOES BOCA HAVE IN THE COPA LIBERTADORES?
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME XENEIZE PLAYED SOUTH AMERICA
Boca has not taken part in what fans call “the other half of the glory” since 2014. The most painful memory from that campaign is the rematch of the semi-final against River Plate, a match remembered for a decisive moment when Barovero’s save on Emanuel Gigliotti kept River alive, followed by Pisculichi scoring the crucial goal that sent River Plate to lift the title under the Gallardo era’s first triumphs.
BOCA TITLES IN SOUTH AMERICA
Ahead of the setbacks, Boca remains a trailblazer in the competition’s history. The club was the first to become a two-time champion, joining a select group of five teams to win the trophy more than once, and the only club to achieve back-to-back championship victories. In 2004, Boca captured the title after routing Bolivar, setting the stage for a second triumph the following year when they defeated UNAM Pumas, often referred to as the Cougars, sealing a consecutive pair of gold medals in South American club football.
These moments are etched in the memories of fans across the Americas, reflecting Boca’s impact on continental competition and its status as a perennial powerhouse in South American football. The legacy is not just about the trophies but the enduring identity of a club that has consistently battled for continental glory, even when the path to the Libertadores changes season by season. The club’s early 2000s success in the Copa Libertadores and the subsequent back-to-back South American Cup performances helped shape a narrative of resilience and ambition that resonates with supporters in Canada, the United States, and beyond. The records show a history of high-stakes clashes, dramatic finishes, and a culture of turning pressure into moments of national pride, a thread that continues to define Boca’s relationship with international competition. (citation: Goal)