00:00Under the overwhelming atmosphere of a packed Bombonera, the solitary goal from the Uruguayan
00:07Matador, marking his fifth in the continental tournament, earned Boca Juniors a hard-fought
00:13victory against Cruzeiro.
00:15The return leg will be in Brazil in a week's time.
00:19With a strike from Edinson Cavani, Boca Juniors secured a 1-0 win this Thursday against Cruzeiro
00:26at La Bombonera during the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana round of 1-6.
00:31A.S. is customary in each cup tie.
00:35The reception for Diego Martinez's team at La Bombonera was colorful, thunderous,
00:41and moving.
00:42Initially, Boca struggled and felt suffocated by Cruzeiro's pressing but still managed
00:49to threaten twice, first with Advincula's cross that Marenchal couldn't connect with,
00:54and then with Cavani's lob attempt, both vigilantly saved by Casio, whom Boca fans
01:00consider a bogeyman.
01:02Cruzeiro, having Argentinians like Captain Lucas Romero, Alvaro Barrio, and Lautaro Diaz
01:10successfully pressed high with an advanced back line and a seamless midfield, particularly
01:15notable were Wallace's defensive efforts and Pereira's skills.
01:21Their tactical setup and continuous movement forced Zenon, ineffective on the left flank,
01:27and Medina, more focused on defending than creating, to play deeper and rushed, thus
01:33disconnecting them from their Uruguayan forwards.
01:37Around the 20-minute mark, Pohl, Fernandez playfully slapped Pereira, leading to an exaggerated
01:43fall and a general scuffle, resulting in yellow cards for both.
01:49Soon after, Chiquito, Romero saved a shot from Diaz, who was offside.
01:56Boca struggled, needing Sara Legui and Zenon to step up, Marenchal to push forward, and
02:02Lautaro Blanco to make more offensive runs.
02:05Eventually, the white-clad opposition controlled the game, unaffected by the tireless chants
02:11from Boca's fans.
02:14Just before halftime, Boca improved, Lima gained confidence, Fernandez upped his defensive
02:21game, Blanco showed more daring, and Marenchal's determination excited the crowd.
02:27Martagani's second half arrival added dynamism on the left, with Zenon moving to the right.
02:34Cruzeiro maintained early pressure, but Boca took control and scored through a brilliant
02:39collective play, initiated by Martagani and assisted exquisitely by Zenon.
02:47Leading to Cavani's goal that sent fans into joyous relief.
02:52Cavani almost doubled the lead when his shot struck the post, and Zenon's follow-up was
02:57heroically saved by Casio in a moment of stellar form.
03:02Later, in a surprising lapse, Chiquito had to make crucial saves from Jorge and Diaz.
03:10Nonetheless, Boca capitalized on their second-half efforts, securing the initial advantage and
03:16setting the stage for the decisive clash in Belo Horizonte next week.
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