⚠️ First Copa Sul-Americana-2026 finalist confirmed

⚠️ First Copa Sul-Americana-2026 finalist confirmed Vasco failed to end their nearly 26-year wait to reach an international tournament final. After winning 1-0 at La Bombonera, Vasco faced Boca Juniors at a Maracanã that welcomed them with a huge celebration on Tuesday night (20). And they were beaten 3-1 in front of 66,026 fans in the second leg of the Sudamericana semi-final. They had been competing on three fronts but now turn their attention to the fight against relegation in the Brasileirão and the Copa do Brasil semi-finals. The Argentine side, meanwhile, await the winners of Montevideo City Torque versus Atlético Mineiro as they chase their third Sudamericana title. They advanced with a 3-2 aggregate victory. Highlights coming soon. Boca are clinical as Vasco struggle The Argentine side's "dream scenario" became reality before the fourth minute. Blanco delivered a corner and Di Lollo rose above Sosa to head home. The nerves were evident even before Boca's goal. And they only grew. Adson and Bruno Duarte went for the same ball, for example. Vasco managed to create chances before the break. But they lacked accuracy. There was no shortage of that at the other end. Another individual error and a goal from Merentiel (34') put Boca ahead on aggregate. Several players in Pedro Emanuel's side performed poorly. And a clinical Boca showed no mercy. Vasco return a 'different' team Vasco came out for the second half with Marino and Brenner. And with a very different approach, looking to overwhelm their opponents. It was Boca's turn to struggle without the ball. Puma Rodríguez was Pedro Emanuel's third substitute. And he put Vasco back in the tie by finishing off a lovely team move in the 66th minute. Léo Jardim lets it slip After suffering a grade 2 injury 11 days earlier and making a remarkable recovery, the midfielder who won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina came on in the second half. He had been quiet. But it fell to him to make the difference. He tried his luck, and the ball swerved and caught out Léo Jardim, who let it in (88'). A goal from Boca's only chance of the second half. 📸 Wagner Meier - 2026 Getty Images Vasco kept fighting. But they could not even force a penalty shootout. What next❓ Boca will face either Montevideo City Torque or Atlético Mineiro in the final. Atlético hold a commanding lead after winning 3-0 at Arena MRV. The second leg takes place on Wednesday (21), kicking off at 7pm Brasília time. Vasco, meanwhile, will turn their attention back to the Brasileirão. On Saturday (24), they face Corinthians at São Januário. After two games without a win, Vasco—who have a game in hand—currently sit 15th with 35 points. Their next opponents are winless in nine league games and sit 16th with 33 points. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.