Agustín Martegani made a key pause, then hooked and found the ideal setting for the build-up. Then, Kevin Zenón did not hesitate and drew a sweet assist. And at the end of the play, as the excellent finisher that he is, Edinson Cavani emerged with a diagonal and a subtle cross touch in front of the goalkeeper. It was the goal that served Mouth to beat 1-0 Cruzeiroin the first leg of the round of 16 of the South American CupIt was the situation that summed up the best of the xeneizes on a night of joy at the Bombonera.
Cavani’s moment is exceptional, impressive. In his 25 games in 2024, he has already accumulated 17 celebrations. Unlike last year’s bad run in which he was far from scoring, the Uruguayan is currently enjoying pure efficiency. He scored on the first occasion that presented itself to him. And shortly after, the post denied him the second.
Cristian Lema (Boca) drives the ball against the opposition of Matheus Pereira
Cavani became Boca’s standout player. However, there were other players who accompanied him. After a first half without offensive clarity and with very few chances to score, Diego Martínez decided to send Martegani onto the field (for Jabes Saralegui) at half-time and the former San Lorenzo player knew how to make himself important by handling the ball, taking breaks and finding spaces. In this way, he relieved Zenón’s task.
Boca left a good impression in the second half. And Cruzeiro hardly bothered them. That’s why the result seemed tight. “We deserved a second goal,” said Martegani. “We could have achieved something more in the second half. We have to polish off all the good things we did,” Cavani stressed. Both were right.
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Boca was surrounded by questions. They mitigated them with their good second half and with an essential victory. Now, on Sunday, they will face San Lorenzo in the Bombonera in a special derby. And on Thursday, the rematch in Belo Horizonte against Cruzeiro. They already know which way to go.
