BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA — Lautaro Di Lollo rose highest in the 77th minute to nod home the decisive goal as Boca Juniors ground out a 1-0 victory over a resilient Deportivo Riestra side at the iconic Alberto José Armando Stadium. The defender's close-range header from Leandro Paredes' pinpoint cross finally broke the deadlock after the hosts had dominated possession for over an hour without reward, sending Boca to the top of the early Liga Profesional table.
The match unfolded as a study in contrasts from the opening whistle. Boca Juniors controlled 79.5% of possession, pinning Riestra deep inside their own half for long stretches, yet found the visitors' defensive organization frustratingly difficult to penetrate. The Xeneizes peppered Ignacio Arce's goal with 19 attempts compared to Riestra's six, but wasteful finishing saw only three efforts trouble the visiting goalkeeper before Di Lollo's intervention.
Leandro Paredes orchestrated proceedings from midfield, his cultured left foot probing for openings throughout. The former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder nearly unlocked the defense in the 20th minute when his delicate cross found Di Lollo, whose header from the center of the box forced a smart save from Arce. That early warning sign proved prophetic, as the same combination would eventually decide the contest.
Alan Velasco provided Boca's most creative spark in the final third, constantly drifting inside from wide positions to test Riestra's defensive discipline. The young attacker won numerous free kicks in dangerous areas, though Paredes couldn't convert the resulting set pieces into clear-cut chances during the opening hour. Ander Herrera and Tomás Belmonte worked tirelessly in central midfield, winning the ball back repeatedly and launching wave after wave of attacks.
Riestra's game plan centered on defensive solidity and occasional counter-attacks, with Nicolás Benegas and Nicolás Watson leading the line in isolation. The visitors absorbed pressure admirably, with Miguel Barbieri and Nicolás Sansotre forming a rugged central defensive partnership that threw bodies in front of shots and cleared countless crosses. Their commitment to the cause was evident in the statistics: Riestra committed 19 fouls compared to Boca's nine, earning five yellow cards in a fiery encounter that saw referee Andrés Merlos reach for his pocket repeatedly.
The breakthrough finally arrived with 13 minutes remaining. Boca won a free kick on the right flank, and Paredes delivered an outswinging cross toward the near post. Di Lollo timed his run perfectly, ghosting between two defenders to power a header from very close range into the high center of the goal. Arce got a hand to the effort but couldn't keep it out, and La Bombonera erupted in relief as much as celebration.
Riestra refused to surrender meekly. In the 86th minute, Mariano Bracamonte cut inside from the left wing and unleashed a right-footed shot that seemed destined for the top corner. Agustín Marchesín, largely a spectator for most of the evening, produced a magnificent diving save to tip the ball over the crossbar. The veteran goalkeeper's intervention proved crucial, as Riestra won their only corner of the match from the resulting set piece.
The final minutes descended into a tense affair. Pedro Ramírez headed wide from Bracamonte's corner delivery in the 87th minute, while Pablo Monje fired just over the bar from distance moments later. Boca manager Fernando Gago introduced fresh legs, bringing on Iker Zufiaurre for Lucas Janson and Milton Delgado for Herrera to shore up the midfield. Exequiel Zeballos also entered the fray, replacing Velasco as Boca looked to run down the clock.
Despite dominating the ball with 79.5% possession, Boca's profligacy in front of goal nearly proved costly. Of their 19 shots, only three tested Arce, highlighting the need for improved clinical finishing. The hosts also won 12 corners to Riestra's one, yet struggled to capitalize on their set-piece superiority until Di Lollo's late intervention. Juan Barinaga worked tirelessly down the right flank, winning several free kicks and providing width, though his final delivery often lacked precision.
The match turned scrappy in the closing stages, with Riestra's frustration boiling over. Nicolás Watson received a yellow card in the 81st minute for a cynical foul on Paredes, while Facundo Miño had been cautioned earlier for a rough challenge on Velasco. The visitors' physical approach disrupted Boca's rhythm but couldn't prevent the inevitable defeat.
Boca's victory extends their strong recent form at La Bombonera, where they've proven difficult to beat. The three points provide the perfect start to their Liga Profesional campaign, though the performance highlighted areas requiring improvement. Converting dominance into goals will be essential as tougher challenges emerge in the weeks ahead.
For Riestra, the narrow defeat offers encouragement despite the loss. Their defensive organization frustrated one of Argentina's most talented squads for 77 minutes, and they created enough late chances to suggest they won't be pushovers this season. However, managing just one shot on target from six attempts indicates the need for greater attacking ambition if they hope to climb from 18th place.
The victory sets up Boca Juniors nicely for their upcoming fixtures as they aim to maintain their position at the summit. Meanwhile, Deportivo Riestra must regroup quickly and channel the defensive resilience shown here into securing their first points of the campaign.