Just over a year ago, the two archrivals, Boca Juniors and River Plate, crossed paths at the Alberto J. Armando Stadium with Boca securing a dramatic home win. The upcoming Professional League Cup 2023 schedule set their famous showdown on the anticipated “date of the classics,” a match that would unfold in La Bombonera much as it did in the latter half of 2022 when the teams met again in a league encounter that favored Boca on home soil.
On date 18 of the league, Boca produced a breathtaking performance against Racing, a result that came with support from the very team they were chasing. On September 11, the squad led by coach Hugo Ibarra found itself fourth in the standings, trailing the early leaders Atlético Tucumán, Gimnasia, and Huracán. River Plate, under Marcelo Gallardo, had already been eliminated from the Copa Libertadores and sat in seventh place as the season unfolded.
BOCA AND RIVER STARTING LINEUPS
This classic encounter remains memorable for Marcelo Gallardo’s experimental setup, which lasted only 45 minutes. River’s initial XI featured Franco Armani, Andrés Herrera, Paulo Díaz, Emanuel Mammana, Javier Pinola, Milton Casco, Enzo Pérez, Juan Quintero, Nicolás De la Cruz, Pablo Solari, and Matías Suárez.
The surprise lay in a five-man midfield line, with Juanfer Quintero operating as a right interior and Matías Suárez as the focal point of attack. At halftime, Gallardo adjusted in an attempt to restore a more conventional arrangement by bringing in Aliendro, Borja, and Barco for Herrera, Solari, and Quintero, yet the change came too late to alter the overall outcome. That match is also remembered for a brutal hit that Aliendro absorbed, breaking his jaw and forcing a temporary halt to the action.
For Boca, Hugo Ibarra selected Agustín Rossi in goal, with a defensive line of Luis Advíncula, Nicolás Figal, Marcos Rojo, and Frank Fabra. In midfield, Pol Fernández, Alan Varela, Martín Payero, and Juan Ramírez supported a forward line led by Luca Langoni and Darío Benedetto. The tactical setup favored stability and relentless pace, enabling Boca to seize momentum in the second half. A red card for Marcos Rojo later capped a tense affair.
BOCA’S GAME-WINNING MOMENT
With 63 minutes on the clock, Juan Ramírez delivered a precise corner into the heart of the area, and Darío Benedetto rose to head home, beating Armani and sealing a memorable victory for Boca. The goal sparked an emotional celebration as some players climbed the boundary wall to share joyous moments with their supporters in the stands near the Riachuelo.
Note: This recap reflects the match’s significance in the season’s narrative and the enduring rivalry that defines Argentine football culture, where derbies often swing on a single moment of genius or misfortune.