Boca beats Racing 3-2 after Enner Valencia hat trick

Enner Valencia scored three headers as Boca Juniors overturned a two-goal deficit against Racing at Rosario Central’s Gigante de Arroyito, Infobae reported. Boca will play Banfield in the semifinals.

How Boca turned the match around

Racing took the lead through Gastón Lodico, who scored directly from a corner, a goal commonly called an Olympic goal. Adrián “Maravilla” Martínez added a second after the break. Valencia then scored from a corner, headed in an equalizer and completed the comeback with another header after a cross from Carlos Palacios.

The result sent Boca through despite Racing leading for much of the match. The win also ended Boca’s six-match run without a victory against Racing, according to Infobae. Boca had last beaten Racing in March 2024.

How Lodico’s corner beat Brey

Lodico’s goal came early in the first half from the left corner. He curled a right-footed delivery toward the far post, where it passed Leandro Brey and entered the net. Olé described the goalkeeper’s response as a miscalculation, while TyC Sports said the ball went in beside the second post.

A Racing supporter near the corner flag had urged Lodico to try a ball that would bend toward goal. Speaking with TyC Sports, the fan said the wind could make the delivery difficult for the goalkeeper. He also told the outlet that he gave the advice quietly so it would not draw attention.

The goal gave Racing an early advantage, but it also repeated an unusual sequence for Brey. Clarín reported that the Boca goalkeeper conceded another direct corner kick in the same stadium and at the same end about a year earlier, when Ángel Di María scored for Rosario Central. Di María’s attempt came from the opposite side and helped produce a 1-1 draw.

What comes next for Boca and Racing

Boca’s semifinal opponent will be Banfield, which reached that stage after eliminating Deportivo Riestra on penalties. Racing was eliminated after surrendering its two-goal lead. Boca’s next league match is against Unión de Santa Fe on Friday, while Racing is scheduled to visit Estudiantes de Río Cuarto on Sunday, Infobae reported.