Boca Juniors vs Atlético Mineiro: Head-to-Head Record and History
Boca Juniors leads the head-to-head record, but Atlético Mineiro has prevailed in their last two knockout ties. Now, the rivals meet again with a continental trophy on the line.
Boca Juniors and Atlético Mineiro will meet in a continental final for the first time in 33 years. The two South American giants will battle for the 2026 Copa Sudamericana title, renewing a rivalry that dates back to 1978.
The historical record favors Boca Juniors, with three wins, four draws and just one defeat in eight official meetings. However, Atlético Mineiro has eliminated the Argentine club in their last two knockout ties, in 2000 and 2021.
The upcoming final will also mark their first meeting in the Copa Sudamericana, although the two clubs have previously faced each other with a continental trophy at stake.
Boca Juniors' Early Dominance
The rivalry began in the 1978 Copa Libertadores, when Boca Juniors, managed by Juan Carlos Lorenzo, defeated Atlético Mineiro 2-1 in Belo Horizonte and 3-1 in Buenos Aires. The Argentine club went on to win its second consecutive Copa Libertadores title that year.
Fifteen years later, the teams met again in the 1993 Copa de Oro final. After a goalless draw in Brazil, Boca secured a 1-0 victory at La Bombonera thanks to a goal from Carlos Mac Allister. Until now, that had been the only occasion on which the two clubs had faced each other directly for an international trophy.
Atlético Mineiro Fights Back
The Brazilian side claimed its first victory over Boca in the 2000 Copa Mercosur, winning 2-0 in Belo Horizonte. A 2-2 draw at La Bombonera secured a 4-2 aggregate triumph and Atlético Mineiro's first knockout victory over the Argentine club.
Their next encounter came in the round of 16 of the 2021 Copa Libertadores, in a tie overshadowed by controversy. Both matches ended 0-0, but Boca had goals disallowed following VAR reviews, prompting fierce criticism of the refereeing decisions.
The tie was decided at the Mineirão, where Atlético Mineiro won 3-1 on penalties. Boca's elimination sparked confrontations involving members of the Argentine delegation and stadium security personnel, adding another tense chapter to the rivalry.
A New Continental Final in 2026
Boca Juniors and Atlético Mineiro will meet again on Saturday, November 21, 2026, at the Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez in Barranquilla, Colombia, with kickoff scheduled for 5:30 PM ET.
The Argentine club will be chasing its third Copa Sudamericana title, following its triumphs in 2004 and 2005. Atlético Mineiro, meanwhile, will look to lift the trophy for the first time after losing the 2025 final to Lanús on penalties.
Boca Juniors leads the overall head-to-head record, but Atlético Mineiro has had the upper hand in their most recent knockout encounters. Now, 33 years after their 1993 final, the two clubs have another opportunity to write a new chapter in their rivalry.
Boca Juniors vs Atlético Mineiro: Previous Results
- 1978 and 1993: Boca won both Copa Libertadores meetings in 1978 (2-1 and 3-1). In the 1993 Copa de Oro, the teams drew 0-0 in Brazil before Boca won 1-0 in Argentina.
- 2000: Atlético Mineiro won 2-0 at home and drew 2-2 at La Bombonera in the Copa Mercosur.
- 2021: Both Copa Libertadores matches ended 0-0, with Atlético Mineiro advancing after a 3-1 penalty shootout victory.
Overall record: 8 matches | 3 Boca Juniors wins | 1 Atlético Mineiro win | 4 draws.
