Enner Valencia hat trick sends Boca into semifinals

Two goals down, Boca needed someone to win the next ball. Enner Valencia answered with three headers and a semifinal place. That Enner Valencia hat trick turned a quarterfinal against Racing into a 3-2 Boca victory in Rosario.

For Ecuador, that comeback carries weight beyond the scoreline. Valencia entered after halftime and settled the tie in stoppage time. Boca had been heading out; instead, its Ecuadorian striker left Rosario with the match ball.

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Racing takes control before Boca finds a response

Racing struck first through Gastón Lodico in the 18th minute. His corner went directly into the goal, giving Racing an unusual lead.

¡RACING SE PONE EN VENTAJA!

Gastón Lodico abrió el marcador con este golazo olímpico para poner 1-0 a la Academia a los 18' del primer tiempo pic.twitter.com/0fSV09bC2X
— TyC Sports Play (@TyCSportsPlay) September 27, 2026

Boca held possession before halftime, yet created little near Racing’s goal. Meanwhile, Racing protected its lead. Boca’s territorial edge offered little comfort while the scoreboard favored Vojvoda’s side.

That opening came immediately after the restart. Adrián Martínez scored in the 46th minute, and Boca suddenly faced a two goal deficit in a knockout match.

LLEGO EL SEGUNDO GOL DE RACING!!

ADRIAN MARTINEZ CONVIRTIO EL SEGUNDO CONTRA BOCA!! pic.twitter.com/ioyCuQZqDO
— Mundo Futbol. 🇦🇷 (@MundoFutbol1337) September 27, 2026

Rodolfo Arruabarrena needed more than possession. Boca required service into the box and a finisher to attack it. Consequently, the wide channels became Boca’s most direct route back.

Arruabarrena introduced Valencia and Sebastián Villa in the 56th minute. Therefore, Boca gained another penalty box target and a runner who could deliver from wide positions.

Valencia had already scored for Boca against Central Córdoba. However, this quarterfinal brought a two-goal gap and little time.

Enner Valencia hat trick begins with Blanco's corner

Lautaro Blanco delivered the corner that opened Boca’s route back in the 72nd minute. Valencia found room, rose above the defensive traffic and headed the ball home.

EL GOL DE ENNER VALENCIA PARA EL DESCUENTO DE BOCA. pic.twitter.com/nEnGbEJc0z
— Planeta Boca Juniors (@PlanetaBoca) September 27, 2026

That header narrowed the score to 2-1. Moreover, it gave Boca a clear route toward another chance. For Ecuadorian eyes, the header showed familiar timing and clean contact. Still, it came only sixteen minutes after Valencia entered.

Racing had to defend its box and protect a shrinking lead. Moreover, every new cross forced another decision under mounting pressure. Boca kept finding a striker winning his duel.

Villa's delivery brings Boca level

Eight minutes later, Valencia attacked another ball from the left. Villa supplied the cross, and the striker headed Boca level in the 80th minute.

ENNER VALENCIA HAS GONE MAD 🇪🇨🔥

TWO GOALS
BOCA LEVEL AT 80’

THE VETERAN REFUSES TO DIE#Valencia #Boca #Libertadores pic.twitter.com/DEUltKCNAy
— CUPID FC (@CUPID_FC) September 27, 2026

His second goal shifted the momentum. Suddenly, Racing’s two-goal cushion had vanished, and Boca could seek a winner. Meanwhile, Villa stretched play outside; Valencia claimed central space before Racing’s marking could reset.

However, an equalizer could not secure qualification. Boca kept looking for one decisive delivery. The second header made that search realistic with ten minutes remaining.

Enner Valencia hat trick seals Boca's semifinal place

That delivery arrived in the fifth minute of added time. Carlos Palacios sent the ball into the area, and Valencia won another aerial contest.

🇪🇨⚽ TERCER CABEZAZO DE ENNER VALENCIA Y HATTRICK HISTÓRICO DEL ECUATORIANO PARA LA VICTORIA AGÓNICA DE BOCA Y EL PASE A SEMIFINALES

CINE EN ROSARIO 🍿 pic.twitter.com/ODKs0YxL1m
— 333 (@AAlwsaby73568) September 27, 2026

Consequently, his header completed the 3-2 reversal without a shootout. Racing’s early advantage had finally disappeared. However, the final score barely captures how quickly control changed hands.

The official Copa Argentina match sheet records Valencia’s goals at 72, 80 and 90+5. Therefore, his three finishes came across a 23 minute span.

Each finish demanded movement and concentration. The first revived Boca the second leveled the match; the last secured qualification. In addition, his aerial certainty gave teammates a clear target.

Valencia entered at 56 minutes, trailing 2-0. By full time, he had scored every Boca goal. Next comes Banfield in the last four. Arruabarrena also faces a selection question after his substitute settled the tie. Yet Boca must decide how Valencia and its wide players combine from the opening whistle.

🗣️ “ES UNA DE LAS NOCHES MÁS INOLVIDABLES DE MI CARRERA”

🎙️ Enner #Valencia 🇪🇨 al finalizar el partido #BocaJuniors 🟦🟨🟦 pic.twitter.com/YYogUgkrqP
— Universo Boca Juniors (@UniversoBoca12) September 27, 2026

Why Boca's late approach worked

Boca found answers through Valencia’s positioning between defenders. Blanco’s set piece started the recovery; Villa’s width continued it.

Later, Palacios supplied the final cross. That simple pattern held under pressure. For a late comeback, clean delivery mattered as much as urgency.

Valencia timed his runs and attacked each ball. Moreover, Boca sustained pressure around the box. Also, its substitutions gave the attack two distinct points of reference. Those deliveries tell the tactical story: Boca kept reaching its striker in the box.

Por si te perdiste los tres goles de Enner Valencia y la clasificación de Boca 💙💛 ante Racing en la Copa Argentina 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/p8svRs51oz
— TERADEPORTES (@Teradeportes) September 28, 2026

What Racing must take from the collapse

Racing scored from a corner and struck again after halftime. Juan Pablo Vojvoda’s team controlled the scoreline.

However, the lead vanished as Boca’s crosses reached Valencia inside the area. Racing could not deny him clean aerial contact when the game tightened. The defeat ended Racing’s cup run despite its long advantage. Meanwhile, Boca moves on to Banfield.

The Enner Valencia hat trick did more than settle the scoreline. He responded after a two-goal deficit, carried the pressure of a knockout clásico and decided it late.

Boca now faces Banfield, while Racing must account for the lead it lost in Rosario. The next round will test whether Boca can create that same service earlier.

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