AVELLANEDA (Interstat) — Facundo Herrera scored in the 88th minute and Boca Juniors beat Independiente 1-0 on Sunday in a global football match at Predio Independiente - Complejo Santo Domingo in Avellaneda, Provincia de Buenos Aires. The visitors scored the game’s only goal late and held on through stoppage time, leaving the home side without a goal despite a tense final stretch. Boca Juniors finished with one goal total, while Independiente finished with none.

Herrera’s goal was the decisive moment. He played all 90 minutes and also received a yellow card in the 77th minute. Sebastian Villa provided the assist during a 30-minute appearance, helping Boca Juniors break through after a match that had remained scoreless into the closing stages. The goal arrived in the 88th minute, and Independiente could not produce an equalizer before the final whistle. The finish gave Boca Juniors the only goal it needed and capped a match that had been tight throughout.

The first half ended without a goal, with Di Lollo’s early caution for Boca Juniors and Marcone’s booking for Independiente in first-half stoppage time setting a physical tone. After halftime, Independiente’s Avila and Perez Curci were booked in the 53rd and 64th minutes, respectively. Boca Juniors’ Delgado was cautioned in the 67th, Herrera in the 77th and Braida in the 90th minute plus stoppage time. In all, the match produced seven yellow cards, four for Boca Juniors and three for Independiente. The cautions interrupted the flow and added to the difficulty for the home side as it chased the game.

Both teams made changes as the second half progressed. Boca Juniors made substitutions involving Velasco, Miguel Merentiel and Flores, while Independiente turned to Palais, Meza, Perez Curci, Avila and Montiel. The adjustments did not change the central pattern: Boca Juniors protected its narrow lead and Independiente searched for a response that never came. The home side’s best efforts were limited as the visitors managed the closing minutes, and Boca Juniors’ defense held through the final moments.

Boca Juniors entered the match after a run that included wins over Vasco and Talleres Cordoba and a loss to Vasco. Independiente’s recent results included draws with Racing Club and Talleres Cordoba and a loss to Instituto. The result shaped both season records. Boca Juniors’ record in this competition is now 3 wins, 0 losses and 1 draw, and its record across all competitions is now 5 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw. Independiente’s record in this competition is now 1 win, 2 losses and 2 draws, and its record across all competitions is also 1 win, 2 losses and 2 draws.

The win gave Boca Juniors the advantage in a match that had been difficult to separate. Independiente pushed late but could not find a finishing touch, and Boca Juniors’ defense held through the final minutes. Herrera’s late finish proved enough on a Sunday that ended with the visitors celebrating and the home side frustrated. The visitors’ lead remained vulnerable until the final whistle, but Independiente could not turn late pressure into a clear scoring chance in the closing minutes. The game at Predio Independiente - Complejo Santo Domingo was decided by the only goal of the contest.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Independiente 1, Boca Juniors 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Boca Juniors with a 62.5 percent probability to win. Boca Juniors had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -0.5. The total score of 1 went over the over/under line of 2.25.