Boca Juniors and Atlético Mineiro set for Copa Sudamericana final in Barranquilla

Atlético Mineiro and Boca Juniors have secured their spots in the 2026 Copa Sudamericana final, scheduled for November 21 at the renovated Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez in Barranquilla, Colombia. The Brazilian side advanced despite a dramatic 2-0 defeat to Montevideo City Torque in Montevideo, relying on a 3-0 first-leg advantage Source: El Tiempo. Boca Juniors completed their qualification by overturning a first-leg deficit to defeat Vasco da Gama 3-1 at Rio’s Maracanã Stadium Source: Infobae.

The path to the final was fraught with tension for Atlético Mineiro. They were reduced to ten men after Alan Franco received a second yellow card in the 75th minute, leaving them vulnerable during stoppage time when Kevin Silva and Gary Kagelmacher scored late goals for Torque Source: Clarín. Despite the scare, the Galo progressed to face Boca, who sought to end an 18-year international trophy drought Source: Milenio.

Key details include:

• Venue: The match will be played at Barranquilla’s newly expanded stadium, which now holds approximately 65,000 spectators following a $45 million renovation Source: Clarín.
• Stakes: A victory would make Boca the first team to win three consecutive Sudamericana titles, having previously won in 2004 and 2005 Source: Infobae.
• Context: Atlético Mineiro aims to break a streak of two consecutive continental final losses, having fallen to Lanús in 2025 and Botafogo in the Libertadores in 2024 Source: El Mercurio.

Both teams are managed by Argentine coaches, Eduardo Domínguez for Mineiro and Rodolfo Arruabarrena for Boca, setting up a tactical duel between neighbors Source: Milenio. While Boca juggles domestic commitments including the Clausura and Copa Argentina, Mineiro enters the final focused solely on continental redemption Source: Infobae.