Magallán Reflects on Madrid Final, Points to Missed Opportunity at La Bombonera

Nearly seven years after the unforgettable 2018 Copa Libertadores final between Boca Juniors and River Plate, Lisandro Magallán has opened up about the painful loss that still haunts many Boca fans. Speaking to ESPN, the former Xeneize defender expressed regret over not securing the first leg at La Bombonera, where Boca squandered two leads to draw 2-2. “In a final, you can’t afford that,” he said.

Magallán, who started both matches, recalled how goals from Ramón Ábila and Darío Benedetto were canceled out by Lucas Pratto and a Carlos Izquierdoz own goal. He believes the inability to dominate at home, where Boca had previously defeated Libertad, Cruzeiro and Palmeiras all by 2-0, proved costly. “We should have been stronger. That solidity we showed in earlier rounds wasn’t there against River,” he admitted.

The chaotic events that led to the return leg being moved to Madrid—after Boca’s team bus was attacked near El Monumental—only added to the heartbreak. “It would have been beautiful to finish it at the Monumental,” Magallán noted. On the 3-1 defeat at the Bernabéu, he was blunt: “We played well. We lost because we lost. Juanfer scored a wonder goal from another game.” Now 31, Magallán has signed with Vélez, where he’ll reunite with former coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto.