São Paulo Eliminated by Boca Juniors in Copa Sul-Americana Quarterfinals Despite Late Equalizer

São Paulo FC was ousted from the 2026 Copa Sul-Americana quarterfinals following a 1-1 draw against Boca Juniors at Morumbi Stadium on September 15, 2026. The Brazilian side was unable to erase the 1-0 deficit from the first leg in Argentina, resulting in a 2-1 aggregate win for Boca Juniors who now move on to face Vasco in the semifinals.

The match saw Boca Juniors take the lead in the second half thanks to a goal by Hirving Lozano, who capitalized on a swift attack. São Paulo managed to level the score late in the game through Domingos Duarte's goal, but it was insufficient to advance. The game attracted 55,724 spectators and generated a revenue of R$ 3,429,802.00.

Coach Dorival Júnior openly criticized the team’s performance after the match, describing it as “unrecognizable” and expressing his frustration with the lack of creativity and excessive passing errors, especially during the first half. He even remarked that if he could "close his eyes and change five players," he would, indicating deep dissatisfaction with the squad’s display. Dorival also stressed that salary delays should not be used as an excuse for the team's poor showing. Currently, São Paulo lies 11th in the Brazilian Championship, just five points above the relegation zone, and will now focus exclusively on the national league, with their next match against Internacional.

Prior to the match, Dorival had emphasized the importance of the Copa Sul-Americana tie, prioritizing it over their domestic league fixtures, as evidenced by fielding a reserve team that lost 2-0 to Palmeiras in the Brasileirão. Boca Juniors also rested some key players in preparation for this crucial encounter. São Paulo had been aiming for its second Copa Sul-Americana title since their first in 2012, while Boca Juniors sought a third crown to become the most successful team in the tournament's history.

With the semifinal stage approaching in mid-October, Boca Juniors’ next opponent will be Vasco, who advanced after defeating Santa Fe. São Paulo, meanwhile, faces a challenging stretch domestically as they strive to improve their standing in the national championship under Dorival’s management.