Newell's Old Boys vs Boca Juniors preview

Argentina flag 2026 Liga Profesional de Fútbol, Argentina
Estadio Marcelo Alberto Bielsa Today - 8:00 PM
Liga Profesional de Fútbol
Newell's Old Boys NOB
2 – 2
Boca Juniors BOC
Full Time Today 8:00 PM
Round 3 2nd Phase
Matías Cóccaro - 50'
Luca Regiardo - 59'
Goal
|
Goal
Santiago Ascacíbar - 30'
Alan Velasco  - 81'

CONTEXT

Newell's Old Boys and Boca Juniors played out a 2-2 draw after a first half that ended 0-1. Boca Juniors controlled 60 percent of possession while Newell's Old Boys held 40 percent. Expected goals heavily favored the visitors at 1.77 against 0.42 for the hosts creating a differential of 1.35. Despite this statistical edge the match concluded level with both sides finding the net twice. No red cards were issued to either team throughout the contest. Boca Juniors entered as the stronger side yet could not translate their advantage into a win. The second half adjustments allowed Newell's Old Boys to overcome the halftime deficit and claim a share of the points in a result that highlighted defensive resilience from the home side.

TL;DR

  • Structural deviation: Boca Juniors showed a significant structural deviation from expected performance patterns.
  • Efficiency shift: The efficiency shift remained in line with overall match dynamics.
  • xG alignment: The outcome was not consistent with xG alignment given the 2-2 draw.
  • Market alignment: The final result demonstrated clear market alignment with the draw.
  • xG expectations: xG expectations pointed to a Boca Juniors win that did not materialize.
  • Event impact: Key events shaped the contest resulting in the 2-2 scoreline.
  • Red card distortion: Red card distortion played no role with zero dismissals recorded.
No standings statistics available.
No head-to-head records found.
0.5+ goals: 85%
1.5+ goals: 70%
2.5+ goals: 50%
3.5+ goals: 25%
Confidence: High (≥8 matches)

Quality vs Volume

Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15
Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11

Open Play vs Set Play

Open Play: 65%
Set Play: 35%

Expected Points

TeamxPts
Home1.8
Away1.2
ℹ️ Methodology: Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality
A. Merlos
A. Merlos
Referee • 25 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 30.4
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 4
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
F. Rodríguez
F. Rodríguez
1st Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
J. Del Fueyo
J. Del Fueyo
2nd Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
A. Vegetti
A. Vegetti
4th Official • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Newell's Old Boys F. Kudelka
F. Kudelka
VS
Boca Juniors R. Arruabarrena
R. Arruabarrena
1.13
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
1.6
1.5 i
Last 6 Opponents
Independiente Rank: 71 L
Talleres Córdoba Rank: 62 W
Vélez Sarsfield Rank: 70 D
Instituto Rank: 64 D
Unión Santa Fe Rank: 63 W
San Lorenzo Rank: 65 D
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
1.67 i
Last 6 Opponents
Deportivo Riestra Rank: 60 L
Huracán Rank: 66 L
Central Cordoba SdE Rank: 61 W
Defensa y Justicia Rank: 60 W
River Plate Rank: 70 W
Independiente Rank: 71 D
1
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
1 - 0 - 3
3

Team Power Ranking

i
What is Power Ranking?
Power ranking is SportMonks' model-based team strength indicator. Historical input capped to 2 seasons.
60.12
72.58
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
Newell's Old Boys
Boca Juniors
Power Score
60.12
72.58
League Position
14
14
Global Rank
611
235

Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted

Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.

–
vs
Newell's Old Boys — Opponent-weighted form score
Boca Juniors — Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) Newell's Old Boys Boca Juniors

Heatmaps Ball coordinates

Attack and defence zones from ball position data. Filters: last 6 matches (overall/home/away), time period, competition.

–
vs

Newell's Old Boys

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Boca Juniors

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —
Possession Efficiency data not available for this match.

Set Pieces Efficiency Attack & Defence

Set-piece reliance and strength using expected metrics and actual outcomes for each team.

Newell's Old Boys
vs
Boca Juniors
Created Set-piece attacking threat
Newell's Old Boys Boca Juniors
Set-piece xG Share Share of total expected goals generated from set pieces. Higher = more set-piece reliant in attack.
18%
13%
Goals per Match Average set-piece goals scored per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xG) Goals scored minus set-piece xG. Positive = overperforming; Negative = underperforming expectations.
-0.08 vs -0.22
Conceded Set-piece defensive exposure
Newell's Old Boys Boca Juniors
Set-piece xGA Share Share of total expected goals conceded from set pieces. Higher = more exposed to set pieces defensively.
13%
18%
Conceded per Match Average set-piece goals conceded per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xGA) Goals conceded minus set-piece xGA. Positive = conceding more than expected (bad); Negative = conceding less than expected (good).
-0.22 vs -0.08
Newell's Old Boys
Boca Juniors
xG Share = set-piece xG ÷ total xG
vs Expected = goals − set-piece xG

Counter / Transition Attack & Defence

What happens in the 15 seconds immediately after possession changes hands — based on Last 6 matches.

–
Newell's Old Boys
vs
Boca Juniors
Attack After Winning Possession transition → offence
Newell's Old Boys Boca Juniors
Goals per Match Average goals scored within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Shots per Match Average shots taken within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Average dangerous attacks launched within 15s of winning possession per match. ↑ better
—
—
Transition Efficiency Index Composite score (0–1) of how efficiently this team attacks within 15s of winning the ball. Higher = more dangerous on transition. Higher = stronger on the counter
Newell's Old Boys 0.00
Boca Juniors 0.00
Defence After Losing Possession loss → defensive exposure
Newell's Old Boys Boca Juniors
Goals Conceded Average goals conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Shots Conceded Average shots conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Conceded Average dangerous attacks allowed within 15s of losing possession per match. ↓ better
—
—
Vulnerability Index Composite score (0–1) of how exposed this team is within 15s of losing the ball. Lower = better at preventing transition attacks. Lower = better transition defence
Newell's Old Boys 0.00
Boca Juniors 0.00
Newell's Old Boys
Boca Juniors
Window = 15s post-possession change
Index = 0–1 composite score

PRESSURE INDEX

Momentum phases from smoothed minute-by-minute pressure.

  • NOB had peak pressure around 51'.
  • BOC started the game with stronger pressure.
NOB Pressure BOC Pressure
⚡
Pressure Index: NOB reached the top pressure at 51' (86.93).

Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons

Summary of 4 matches between these sides — filtered by competition and venue context.

Newell's Old Boys NOB Home
4 matches
Boca Juniors BOC Away
Match Record
1
Wins
3
0
Draws
0
3
Losses
1
Goals
2
Goals Scored
8
8
Goals Conceded
2
-6
Goal Difference
+6
Expected Goals
0
xG
0
0
xGA
0

Data last updated: 2026-08-02T19:30:38+00:00

STARTING XI

Match Formation 4-2-3-1
Match Formation 4-2-3-1
Pitch
J. Reinatti Balansino
Argentina
30 J. Reinatti Balansino
F. Escobar
Substitution
Argentina
24 F. Escobar
N. Goitea
Argentina
23 N. Goitea
L. Gianetti
Argentina
17 L. Gianetti
J. Russo
Argentina
28 J. Russo
D. Sotelo
Substitution
Argentina
8 D. Sotelo
L. Regiardo
5 L. Regiardo
W. Mazzantti
Argentina
7 W. Mazzantti
F. Guch
Substitution
20 F. Guch
L.Rios
Substitution
Argentina
39 L.Rios
M. Cóccaro Ferreira
Substitution
Uruguay
9 M. Cóccaro Ferreira
Á. Montero Perales
Colombia
1 Á. Montero Perales
L. Blanco
Argentina
3 L. Blanco
A. Costa
Argentina
32 A. Costa
L. Di Lollo
Argentina
2 L. Di Lollo
D. Gorosito
Substitution
Argentina
24 D. Gorosito
S. Ascacíbar
Argentina
25 S. Ascacíbar
L. Paredes
Argentina
5 (C) L. Paredes
S. Villa Cano
Substitution
Colombia
22 S. Villa Cano
T. Aranda
Argentina
10 T. Aranda
L. Flores
19 L. Flores
M. Merentiel Serrano
Substitution
Uruguay
16 M. Merentiel Serrano

General Information

Date & Time
Aug 02, 2026, 08:00 PM
Competition
2026 Liga Profesional de Fútbol, Argentina · Round 3 · 2nd Phase
Stadium
Estadio Marcelo Alberto Bielsa
Capacity
49000
Pitch Surface
Grass
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees
Andrés Merlos
Facundo Rodríguez
Juan Del Fueyo
Agustín Vegetti

Statistics

Possession
NOB
43%
BOC
57%

Top Statistics

2 Goals 2
0 Big Chances Created 5
2 Shots 9
48 Dangerous attacks 61
40 Possession 60
5 Corners 7
11 Free kicks 12
2 Yellow Cards 3

Match Overview

10 Goal Kicks 5
5 Substitutions 3
29 Throwins 17
0 Hit Woodwork 2
2 Assists 2
19 Dribble Attempts 26
11 Successful Dribbles 16
58 Successful Dribbles Percentage 62

Attacking

79 Attacks 109
0 Big Chances Missed 4

Possession

52 Long Passes 44
272 Passes 403
208 Successful Passes 348
76 Successful Passes Percentage 86
4 Key Passes 13
29 Successful Long Passes 20
56 Successful Long Passes Percentage 45

Defensive

2 Saves 0
18 Tackles 27
3 Interceptions 6
51 Duels Won 63

Build-up

21 Total Crosses 42
7 Accurate Crosses 8

Discipline

1 Offsides 0
12 Fouls 11

Lineup

Referee : Andrés Merlos

Starting XI ▼

30
Josué Reinatti
Josué Reinatti Goalkeeper
7.31
17
Lautaro Giannetti
Lautaro Giannetti Defender
7.16
23
Nicolás Goitea
Nicolás Goitea Defender
6.71
24
Franco Escobar
Franco Escobar Defender
6.68
25
Bruno Cabrera
Bruno Cabrera
Defender90+5'
6.51
28
Jeronimo Russo
Jeronimo Russo Defender
6.92
5
Luca Regiardo
Luca Regiardo Midfielder
6.72
7
Walter Mazzantti
Walter Mazzantti Midfielder
6.5
8
David Sotelo
David Sotelo Midfielder
6.64
—
David Sotelo
84'
20
Facundo Guch
Facundo Guch Midfielder
6.77
10
Valentino Acuña
Valentino Acuña
Midfielder90+3'
6.75
39
Thomas Rios
Thomas Rios Midfielder
6.45
35
Blas Benedetto
Blas Benedetto
Midfielder90+5'
9
Matías Cóccaro
Matías Cóccaro Attacker
6.71
99
Ignacio Ramírez
Ignacio Ramírez
Attacker66'
6.96
Referee : Andrés Merlos

Starting XI ▼

1
Álvaro Montero
Álvaro Montero Goalkeeper
6.08
2
Lautaro Di Lollo
Lautaro Di Lollo Defender
7.05
3
Lautaro Blanco
Lautaro Blanco Defender
7.03
24
Dylan Gorosito
Dylan Gorosito Defender
6.53
17
Leandro Lozano
Leandro Lozano
Defender75'
7.41
32
Ayrton Costa
Ayrton Costa Defender
6.94
5
Leandro Paredes
Leandro Paredes (C) Midfielder
7.57
10
Tomás Aranda
Tomás Aranda Midfielder
7.05
19
Leonel Benjamín Flores
Leonel Benjamín Flores Midfielder
6.84
22
Sebastián Villa
Sebastián Villa Midfielder
7.55
20
Alan Velasco
Alan Velasco
Midfielder75'
7.3
25
Santiago Ascacíbar
Santiago Ascacíbar Midfielder
7.5
16
Miguel Merentiel
Miguel Merentiel Attacker
6.89
9
Milton Giménez
Milton Giménez
Attacker63'
6.97

Events

2ND-HALF
Event
Blas Benedetto → Thomas Rios
7th Substitution
90+5'
Event
Bruno Cabrera  → Franco Escobar
8th Substitution
90+5'
Event
Valentino Acuña → Facundo Guch
6th Substitution
90+3'
Event
Lucas Gómez → David Sotelo
5th Substitution
84'
81'
Event
Alan Velasco 
Left foot shot / 4th Goal
80'
Event
Alan Velasco 
Foul / 5th Yellowcard
75'
Event
Leandro Lozano → Dylan Gorosito
3rd Substitution
75'
Event
Alan Velasco  → Sebastián Villa
4th Substitution
68'
Event
Leandro Paredes
Argument / 4th Yellowcard
Event
Ignacio Ramírez → Matías Cóccaro
2nd Substitution
66'
63'
Event
Milton Giménez  → Miguel Merentiel 
1st Substitution
Event
Luca Regiardo
Right foot shot / 3rd Goal
59'
Event
Luca Regiardo
Foul / 3rd Yellowcard
53'
Event
Matías Cóccaro
Right foot shot / 2nd Goal
50'
1ST-HALF
45+1'
Event
Ayrton Costa
Foul / 2nd Yellowcard
Event
Lautaro Giannetti
Foul / 1st Yellowcard
43'
30'
Event
Santiago Ascacíbar
Header / 1st Goal

Match Commentary

90
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
90
Update Update
Blas Benedetto comes on for Lautaro Rios.
90
Update Update
Valentino Acuna is on, and Facundo Guch is off.
90
Update Update
Bruno Cabrera comes on for Franco Nicolas Escobar.
90
Attempt Attempt
Leonel Flores takes a right-footed shot but misses.
87
Attempt Attempt
Tomas Aranda takes a left-footed shot that hits the post.
87
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
85
Attempt Attempt
Shot - Milton Gimenez Head Shot Missed
85
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
84
Update Update
On comes Lucas Gómez, off goes David Sotelo.
82
Attempt Attempt
Tomas Aranda takes a right-footed shot but misses.
81
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Shot by Sebastian Villa Cano with his left foot results in a goal.
81
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Sebastian Villa scores, bringing the match to 2-2.
80
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card for Sebastian Villa Cano.
75
Update Update
Leandro Lozano comes on for Dylan Gorosito.
75
Update Update
On Sebastian Villa Cano, off Sebastian Villa Cano.
71
Attempt Attempt
Leonel Flores takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
71
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
68
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Leandro Daniel Paredes receives a yellow card.
66
Update Update
Juan Ignacio Ramirez Polero comes on for Matias Coccaro.
63
Update Update
Milton Gimenez is on, and Miguel Merentiel is off.
61
Attempt Attempt
Sebastian Villa Cano takes a left-footed shot but misses.
59
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Luca Regiardo scores with a right-footed shot.
59
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Luca Regiardo scores to make it 2-1, assisted by Tomas Rios.
55
Attempt Attempt
Sebastian Villa Cano takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
53
Attempt Attempt
Sebastian Villa Cano takes a shot with his right foot, but it is blocked.
53
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card issued to Luca Regiardo.
53
Attempt Attempt
Facundo Guch takes a left-footed shot but misses.
50
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Matias Coccaro scores with a right-footed shot.
50
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Matias Coccaro scores with a right-footed shot.
50
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Matias Coccaro scores to make it 1-1, assisted by Facundo Guch.
48
Attempt Attempt
Leonel Flores takes a right-footed shot, but it misses the target.
47
Attempt Attempt
Luca Regiardo takes a left-footed shot but misses.
45
Attempt Attempt
Facundo Guch takes a shot, but it's blocked.
45
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
45
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
45
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card shown to Ayrton Enrique Costa.
45
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
43
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
43
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Lautaro Gianetti receives a yellow card.
42
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Lautaro Gianetti receives a yellow card.
32
Attempt Attempt
Walter Mazzantti attempts a header but misses the shot.
30
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Shot - Santiago Ascacibar Head Shot Goal
30
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Santiago Ascacibar scores to make it 1-0, assisted by Sebastian Villa Cano.
25
Attempt Attempt
Sebastian Villa Cano takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
25
Attempt Attempt
Sebastian Villa Cano takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
20
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
20
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
19
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
19
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
18
Update Update
Miguel Merentiel takes a header, but it hits the post.
11
Attempt Attempt
Miguel Merentiel takes a shot with his head, but it hits the post.
11
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
10
Update Update
Offside.
3
Attempt Attempt
Miguel Merentiel's left-footed shot is saved.
1
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
1
Update Update
Kick-off! The referee is Andres Merlos.

CONCLUSION

The 2-2 draw leaves both teams reflecting on missed opportunities in a match defined by contrasting statistical narratives. Newell's Old Boys demonstrated strong second half character to recover from the halftime deficit and earn a valuable point at home. Boca Juniors will be disappointed not to have secured all three points despite their superior expected goals and possession dominance. The absence of red cards ensured the game remained eleven versus eleven throughout allowing both sides to maintain their tactical setups. This result underscores the unpredictable nature of football where underlying metrics do not always dictate the final outcome. Both teams can take positives forward from a hard fought encounter that showcased attacking intent and defensive resolve in equal measure.