Ascacibar's equaliser earns Boca Juniors 1-1 draw vs Velez
Synopsis
Tomas Marchiori was the story at La Bombonera — the Velez goalkeeper denied Boca Juniors a winner with a string of second-half saves after Ascacibar's rebound goal had levelled things up. The 1-1 result keeps Velez five points clear of Boca in Zone A and underlines how far Boca have to travel to challenge for Clausura honours.
Key Takeaways
Santiago Ascacibar scored in the 39th minute to earn Boca Juniors a 1-1 draw against Velez Sarsfield at La Bombonera on 9 August .
Valdes had given Velez the lead with a 12th-minute counter-attack goal.
Velez goalkeeper Tomas Marchiori made several crucial second-half saves to preserve the point.
Velez Sarsfield lead Zone A with 10 points from four matches .
Boca Juniors remain sixth with 5 points , five points behind the leaders.
Other results: Tigre 1-0 River Plate , Deportivo Riestra 2-0 Estudiantes , Sarmiento 2-1 Atletico Tucuman .
Santiago Ascacibar's close-range finish in the 39th minute rescued Boca Juniors from defeat as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Velez Sarsfield in Argentina's Clausura tournament at La Bombonera on Sunday, 9 August. The result leaves Boca rooted in sixth place while Velez sit atop Zone A.
How the Goals Fell
Velez drew first blood with a swift counter-attack in the 12th minute, catching Boca's defensive line out of shape. Valdes capitalised on the opening to silence the home crowd and hand the visitors an early lead.
Boca pushed back steadily, pinning Velez deeper as the half progressed. Velez goalkeeper Tomas Marchiori was sharp, repelling several threatening efforts. The breakthrough came when Leonel Flores tested Marchiori and the goalkeeper could only parry the ball into a dangerous area — Ascacibar reacted fastest, forcing the rebound over the line from close range to level at 1-1.
Second Half: Marchiori Stands Firm
The equaliser injected fresh energy into Boca's play after the interval. The hosts controlled large portions of the second half and carved out multiple chances in search of a winner. However, Marchiori produced a string of important saves, frustrating the home attackers and securing a valuable point for Velez on the road.
Standings Impact
Velez Sarsfield lead Zone A with 10 points from four matches, their strong Clausura campaign continuing unabated. Boca Juniors remain in sixth place with five points — five points adrift of the leaders — and will feel they let a chance to close the gap slip away at home.
Other Clausura Results
Elsewhere in the weekend's Argentine top-flight action, Deportivo Riestra defeated Estudiantes 2-0 at home, while Sarmiento claimed a 2-1 away victory against Atletico Tucuman. Tigre edged River Plate 1-0 at home, Platense recorded a 1-0 win at Independiente, and Instituto beat Gimnasia Mendoza 1-0 on home soil.
With Velez showing no signs of slowing at the top of Zone A, the pressure is squarely on Boca to convert home opportunities in their remaining Clausura fixtures.
Point of View
But the more telling number is the five-point gap that now separates them from Boca in Zone A after just four rounds. Boca dominated the second half and still could not find a way past Marchiori — a recurring theme of a side that creates volume but lacks clinical edge at home. For a club of Boca's stature, dropping points to a team playing on the counter at your own ground is a warning sign, not a footnote.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result between Boca Juniors and Velez Sarsfield in the Clausura?
Boca Juniors and Velez Sarsfield drew 1-1 at La Bombonera on 9 August in the Argentina Clausura tournament. Valdes gave Velez an early lead before Santiago Ascacibar equalised just before half-time.
Who scored for Boca Juniors against Velez?
Santiago Ascacibar scored Boca's equaliser in the 39th minute, reacting quickest to a rebound after Tomas Marchiori had parried a Leonel Flores effort. It was a close-range finish that levelled the match at 1-1.
Where do Velez Sarsfield stand in the Clausura after this result?
Velez Sarsfield lead Zone A of the Clausura with 10 points from four matches. The draw continued their strong start to the campaign.
Where does Boca Juniors sit in the Clausura standings?
Boca Juniors remain in sixth place in Zone A with five points — five points behind leaders Velez Sarsfield — after four matches played.
What were the other Clausura results from the weekend?
Deportivo Riestra beat Estudiantes 2-0, Sarmiento won 2-1 away at Atletico Tucuman, Tigre defeated River Plate 1-0, Platense won 1-0 at Independiente, and Instituto beat Gimnasia Mendoza 1-0.
