Goalkeeper Brey saved four penalties and saved Boca de Gago

Boca has been playing for most of the year because the Argentine Cup is the closest path it has to qualifying for the Libertadores 2025. They are just three games away from being champions. It’s a matter of constantly moving forward. He can’t afford to stumble. I really need to win. Furthermore, this is the second match for Fernando Gago, who just lost his debut against the mediocre Tigre. Now they have to respond against lowly Gimnasia La Plata.

Gago was not moved. He played hard. He left the questionable Sergio Romero on the substitute bench and chose Leandro Brey, the young 22-year-old goalkeeper. And the little archer became a hero in one crazy night.

Boca won early with a header from Aaron Anselmino. However, Gimnasia tied it midway through the second half, after a corner. Brey didn’t start well, the ball hit Marcos Rojo and he went in.

Without playing a game to applaud, Boca created some clear chances that it failed to convert. Gimnasia relied on display and intensity. Vibrations are unnecessary. And the fouls are also sudden. Without VAR, there was a festival of referee-allowed kicks.

That’s how they arrived at Brey’s penalties and production assignment. After converting the first, the one-man team started and blocked the next four shots, against Rodrigo Castillo, Franco Troyanski, Leonardo Morales and David Salazar. He is the first goalkeeper in Xeneize history to save four penalties in a sense. It was enough for Boca to get two of the four they executed right. Marcos Rojo and Jorge Figal scored. Miguel Merentiel (save) and Milton Giménez (crossbar) failed.

And Boca, relieved, celebrated. Now in the semifinals they will meet the best team in Argentine soccer, along with Vélez. The other clash in the semis is between Huracán and Central Córdoba. Less and less is disappearing and the xeneizes are excited, now there is another reason: Leandro Brey.