Boca Juniors faces Banfield in Copa Argentina semifinal at Estadio Malvinos Argentinas

Boca Juniors prepares to face Banfield in a Copa Argentina semifinal on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at the Estadio Malvinos Argentinas in Mendoza. The match is scheduled to begin at 19:00 local time. The winner of this semifinal encounter will advance to the Copa Argentina final to play against Platense, who secured their place in the final after defeating Atlético Tucumán.

Squad selection and player availability

Boca Juniors faces several uncertainties regarding its starting lineup for the upcoming semifinal. Santiago Ascacibar remains a doubt for the starting lineup because of a grade 1 right knee sprain sustained during a recent match against Defensa y Justicia. While Julio Pavoni stated that Ascacibar is fit to play and has been training with the squad, his participation remains uncertain. If Ascacibar cannot play, Tomás Belmonte serves as the primary alternative for the player in the midfield.

The coaching staff has made specific decisions regarding the defensive and midfield units. Lautaro Blanco has been excluded from the squad to be rested for the upcoming Copa Sudamericana final against Atlético Mineiro, which is scheduled for Saturday, November 21, 2026. Malcom Braida is expected to replace Lautaro Blanco at the left-back position. In the midfield, Leandro Paredes is expected to start following a recovery from recent physical issues.

The probable Boca Juniors lineup includes goalkeeper Álvaro Montero, Leandro Lozano, Lautaro Di Lollo, Facundo Herrera, Malcom Braida, Santiago Ascacibar or Tomás Belmonte, Leandro Paredes, Milton Delgado, Sebastián Villa, Miguel Merentiel, and Alan Velasco. Regarding the offensive strategy, Luciano Cofano noted that the choice in attack might be between Alan Aranda and Alan Velasco.

Banfield projected lineup and preparations

Banfield enters the match with a projected lineup that includes Diego Rodríguez, Juan Luis Alfaro, Nicolás Meriano, Santiago Daniele, Ignacio Abraham, Tomás Adoryan, Brandon Oviedo, Lautaro Gómez, David Zalazar, Adrián Balboa, and Federico Medina. The Banfield squad is led by coach Pedro Troglio.

Coach Pedro Troglio has expressed high motivation for his team heading into the semifinal. He promised a significant reward to his players if they eliminate Boca Juniors and joked about obtaining a car through a trade. The Boca Juniors delegation is being led to Mendoza by Juan Román Riquelme.

Match timing and tournament context

The match is scheduled for 19:00 in Argentina. For international viewers, the kickoff occurs at 17:00 in Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Panama, and US Eastern Time. In Bolivia, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico, the match begins at 18:00, while in Spain, the start time is 23:00.

This Copa Argentina semifinal comes at a busy time for Boca Juniors, as the club is also currently competing in the Copa Sudamericana. The club also recently achieved success by winning the Tabla Anual.

Glossary

• Copa Argentina — The Copa Argentina is a football competition. The 2025 edition was the fifteenth edition of the tournament and the thirteenth since its relaunch in 2011.
• Copa Sudamericana — The Copa Sudamericana is a football competition. It involves various clubs, such as Club Atlético Independiente and Universidad de Chile.
• Mendoza — Mendoza is a province that was created in 1813 after the separation of the intendency of Cuyo. It is home to the National University of Cuyo.
• Boca Juniors — Boca Juniors is a club. It has had various officials, including a First Vice President and a President.
• Platense — The Platense is a name for the Querandian Sea, which is a disappeared marine body. It formed in the center-east of the Southern Cone of South America during a Holocene marine transgression.