Don't miss the O'Higgins vs. Boca Juniors match live on beIN SPORTS.

The road to the CONMEBOL Sudamericana Final in Barranquilla continues. Boca Juniors travel to Chile holding a 1-0 advantage earned at La Bombonera, where Miguel Merentiel scored the only goal of the first leg to put the Argentine giants in a strong position. However, the tie remains far from over, as O'Higgins will look to overturn the deficit at Estadio El Teniente and secure a historic place in the Round of 16, where Recoleta is already waiting.

CONMEBOL Copa Sudamericana, LIVE on beIN SPORTS.

Boca Juniors Aim to Finish the Job

Following the break for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Boca Juniors returned to action with a 2-0 victory over Sarmiento in the Copa Argentina, an encouraging start to the second spell of head coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena. They followed that performance with a hard-fought 1-0 win over O'Higgins in the first leg of this series, highlighted by Leandro Paredes' return to the starting lineup after the World Cup and the decisive strike from Miguel Merentiel.

However, their momentum was interrupted over the weekend, as the Xeneize suffered a surprising 3-0 defeat to Deportivo Riestra in league play. With this decisive continental clash in mind, Arruabarrena opted to rotate several starters, but the result exposed some defensive concerns heading into the second leg.

Tactically, Boca Juniors have displayed a more balanced approach under Arruabarrena. The presence of Leandro Paredes provides composure and control in midfield, allowing the team to dictate possession and build attacks patiently. Up front, Miguel Merentiel stretches opposing defenses with intelligent movement, while the wide players create dangerous one-on-one situations. Despite their quality, Boca have occasionally struggled away from home, particularly against teams that apply aggressive high pressure during the opening stages of matches.

O'Higgins Trust Their Home Fortress

Unlike Boca Juniors, O'Higgins remained active throughout the World Cup break. The Chilean club continued competing in both the Copa de Chile and the Copa de la Liga, reaching the latter's final against Coquimbo Unido, although that match was postponed until October because of severe weather conditions.

The "Capo de Provincia" enters this match with greater competitive rhythm, but also carrying back-to-back defeats: the narrow loss to Boca Juniors in Buenos Aires and a 2-0 setback against Deportivo Concepción in domestic league play. Even so, their home form offers plenty of optimism, as they are unbeaten in their last five matches at Estadio El Teniente, recording three wins and two draws.

During the CONMEBOL Sudamericana group stage, O'Higgins emerged as one of the tournament's surprise teams. They finished second in Group C with 10 points, behind São Paulo and ahead of Millonarios and Boston River, highlighted by impressive victories over the Colombian side both at home and away. One of the club's standout performers has been Francisco González, whose creativity and ability to break defensive lines have made him a key figure in attack.

From a tactical standpoint, Lucas Bovaglio's side relies on a compact defensive block, aggressive counter-pressing after losing possession, and quick transitions once the ball is recovered. At home, O'Higgins generally adopts a more attacking approach, pushing its defensive line higher and looking to create overloads on the flanks. That strategy allowed the Chilean club to compete evenly with Boca Juniors for long stretches of the first leg, and they will likely use the same formula as they attempt to overturn the aggregate score.

Everything Still to Play For

Although Boca Juniors enter the match with the aggregate lead and the experience that comes with being one of South America's most successful clubs, the series remains wide open. O'Higgins have proven throughout this edition of the CONMEBOL Sudamericana that they can compete against higher-profile opponents and will rely on the support of their home fans in search of a memorable comeback.

It promises to be a fascinating battle between the continental pedigree of Boca Juniors and the ambition of an O'Higgins side looking to write the greatest chapter in its international history. The reward is a place in the Round of 16 against Recoleta, setting the stage for an intense night in Rancagua.

Don't miss the O'Higgins vs. Boca Juniors match live on beIN SPORTS.