Villa's brilliance cannot save Boca from Rosario slip

Sebastián Villa set up Santiago Ascacíbar's opener but could not prevent Boca Juniors from surrendering a two-goal lead at Estadio Marcelo Bielsa on Sunday. Newells Old Boys fought back to earn a 2-2 draw in the Clausura's third round, leaving Boca frustrated despite Villa's creative display in the opening half.

Villa's assist for Ascacíbar in the 30th minute gave Boca control. The winger's movement forced space and found his teammate with a pass that left Newells exposed. For forty minutes, Boca looked the sharper side, Villa orchestrating play down the left and troubling Franco Escobar repeatedly. Yet that advantage evaporated once Newells adjusted.

Cóccaro and Regiardo turn the tide

Matías Cóccaro levelled in the 50th minute, capitalising on Facundo Guch's assist to restore parity. Nine minutes later, Lautaro Regiardo put Newells ahead when Lautaro Rios released him. The shift came fast. Boca's midfield, anchored by Leandro Paredes and Ascacíbar, lost its grip on proceedings. Newells pressed higher, and the home crowd at Marcelo Bielsa sensed vulnerability.

Regiardo's goal looked decisive. Newells had momentum, Boca were retreating, and the visitors seemed to have no answer to Rios and Guch's growing influence on the flanks. Álvaro Montero made saves when called upon, but Boca's shape was fragmenting.

Velasco rescues a point

Tomás Aranda's assist for Ayrton Velasco's 81st-minute equaliser salvaged a draw for Boca. The goal came when Newells had begun to tire, and it prevented what would have been a damaging loss. Velasco's finish was clinical, arriving when Boca needed it most, yet the late leveller felt more like relief than vindication.

Neither side created clear chances in the closing stages. Newells could not find a third, Boca lacked the precision to win it. The draw leaves both teams with unfinished business. Villa's first-half dominance counted for little; Boca's inability to manage a two-goal advantage cost them three points. For Newells, it was a strong recovery, but they will know they should have held on.