Toluca FC pulled off a monumental victory over Argentine power house Boca Juniors at the mythical “Bombonera” stadium in barrio Boca of the South American giants. The Mexican squad, counted out by many in this match, defeated Boca 2-1 in a match that the home squad could never really resolve.
Uruguayan Santiago Silva opened scoring for the Argentines. Carlos Esquivel and Paraguayan Edgar Benitez silenced the stadium to give the red devils the first Mexican victory over Boca Juniors at the Bombonera since Cruz Azul in 2001.
The home squad began the game trying to impose their will on the Mexican squad. Toluca did not fall for the ruse, and played a cautious game against a dangerous rival. Goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera was tested by the local attackers in the first minutes of the match as they moved forward to breakdown the Mexican defense.
Boca Juniors opened scoring in the 22nd minute when Silva scored from the penalty spot. The referee bought a fake fall from Lautaro Acosta and pointed to the spot in the Argentine squad’s favor. Silva struck and beat Talavera to put Boca Juniors up 1-0.
Being behind did not look well for Toluca. Brazilian Wilson Tiago received a cautionary yellow card for a similar action taken by Boca player Christian Cellay a few minutes earlier. Doubts on the officiating began to rise on the Mexican side of the field.
Panamanian Luis Tejada had a good opportunity to close the gap in the 30th minute, but goalkeeper Agustin Orion stopped the ball to save his net. Talavera had one more save in the first half to show the team had not given up hope despite being down a goal.
Enrique Meza moved the chorizeros’ lines forward in an attempt to get on the board. Benitez was taken down in the area and the referee pointed to the spot in Toluca’s favor. However, Gerardo Rodriguez shot directly to Orion who stopped the ball with ease.
Antonio Naelson Zinha silenced the stadium in the 52nd minute with a great pass to Esquivel who beat the offside play and hammered the ball past Orion to close the gap 1-1. The Mexican squad was on the verge of turning the game around.
Benitez was a terror against the Boca Juniors defense getting by and causing havoc for the Argentines. A combination with Zinha in the 73rd brought about the winning goal for the reds. Zinha passed to Benitez who fired low to beat Orion who was off his line. Toluca was doing the unthinkable.
Boca pushed the Mexicans on to their side of the pitch and began firing trying to close the gap. The Argentines were hurting and on their own turf. They were close, but Toluca held their line and took three points worth gold to Mexico. The red devils become the second Mexican team to beat Boca Juniors at the Bombonera.
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