Boca Juniors: Libertadores titles by season and key finals

The editions owned by América are discussed here. It stands as the second most successful team in the tournament.

Since Juan Román Riquelme lifted the Libertadores Cup in 2007 in Porto Alegre, after a dominant win over Gremio, Boca Juniors fans began to dream of a seventh title. That triumph would place them ahead of Independiente as the club with the most prestigious continental trophy.

Since then, the closest Boca has come came in 2012 and 2018, seasons in which they reached the final, a pattern that continued into 2023.

With two titles from the 1970s and four more from the 2000s, these are Boca’s fabled trophies. Here is a season-by-season look at the achievements.

1977

After the club’s 1963 final defeat to Pelé’s Santos, Boca returned to a decisive stage under Toto Lorenzo. They advanced undefeated from the first phase, sharing a group with River Plate, defeating them at La Bombonera and drawing at the Monumental. They then beat Deportivo Cali and Libertad in the second phase to reach a final against the defending champions Cruzeiro.

The first leg in La Ribera and the second leg in Mineirao both ended 1-0 in favor of the home side, prompting a tiebreak in Montevideo. That match finished as a draw, and penalties followed, with Gatti denying Vanderlei’s attempt to secure the first trophy for Boca.

1978

Boca repeated the feat the following year, advancing from the second phase after again facing River Plate (a 2-0 win in Núñez helping them reach the final) and Atlético Mineiro.

The final pitted Boca against Deportivo Cali, coached by Carlos Bilardo. The first leg at Pascual Guerrero ended 0-0, while the return at Brandsen 805 saw Boca win 4-0, with Perotti contributing two goals and Salinas and Mastrángelo adding one each.

2000

The International era of the Boca era began under coach Carlos Bianchi. After winning two local titles, the club returned to international play following a six-year gap and led Group 2 ahead of Peñarol, Universidad Católica, and Blooming.

In the round of 16 they defeated El Nacional 5–3. In the quarters they overcame River Plate again, propelled by Palermo’s memorable comeback goal after a serious injury. In the semifinals they survived a near-elimination against América, aided by Samuel’s acrobatic clearance off the line against Azteca, advancing to a final against Palmeiras decided by penalties at Morumbi, highlighted by Córdoba’s outstanding performance in goal.

2001

The title defense started smoothly in Group 8 against Cobreloa, Deportivo Cali, and Oriente Petrolero. Wil semifinal opponents included Junior from Barranquilla, and Vasco da Gama stood in the way in the quarterfinals.

The journey culminated with a rematch against Palmeiras in the semifinals, where a masterful display by Riquelme guided Boca to victory on penalties. The final against Cruz Azul in Mexico appeared settled after Delgado’s goal, yet Boca fell in La Bombonera, forcing another dramatic shootout in which Boca claimed the fourth title.

2003

Perhaps the finest Boca form in a Libertadores campaign. When Viceroy returned to the bench, the team finished second in the group behind Independiente Medellín and ahead of Barcelona and Colo Colo. In the round of 16 they suffered an early home loss to Paysandú but rallied with a brilliant performance by Guillermo in Brazil.

They defeated Cobreloa in the quarterfinals and crushed América de Cali in the semifinals, a tournament favorite. The final against Santos ended with a dominant 5-1 aggregate win, a demonstration of Boca’s superiority with stars like Diego and Robinho in the opposing side.

2007

Miguel Russo took charge from the bench as Boca navigated a demanding group stage, needing a decisive win over Bolívar on the final date to secure second place ahead of Toluca and eliminate Cienciano. In the knockout rounds they dismissed Vélez Sársfield in the round of 16, Libertad in the quarters, and Cúcuta in the semifinals after overturning a 1–3 first-leg deficit with a 3–0 home victory. The final against Gremio featured a commanding performance from Riquelme, with a 3–0 win at La Bombonera and a 2–0 triumph in Porto Alegre, sealing Boca’s continental crown once more.

[Goal]