Boca Juniors eliminated Racing 3-2 in a Copa Argentina quarterfinal match Sunday at Estadio Gigante de Arroyito in Rosario, with Ecuadorian forward Enner Valencia scoring all three goals after entering as a substitute in the second half.
Valencia came off the bench at the 56-minute mark with Boca trailing 2-0. He replaced Alan Velasco as part of a tactical shift by coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena, who also brought on Sebastián Villa and removed Santiago Ascacíbar to increase attacking pressure. Over the next 23 minutes, Valencia converted three headers to complete the comeback and secure qualification to the semifinals.
The final goal arrived in added time when a cross from Carlos Palacios found Valencia's head and went into the right corner past goalkeeper Facundo Cambeses. Arruabarrena reacted with visible emotion, jumping onto the field and gesturing toward the Boca supporters.
After the match, Valencia spoke to media about the performance. "The truth is that today I thank God for all of this. I have gone through difficult moments. This is unforgettable, it is among the best moments of my career," he told TyC Sports.
Valencia reflected on his adjustment to Boca since his arrival. "I knew that coming here was going to be difficult because the squad was already formed. Now it worked out for me to enter and help the team to win," he said. "I was getting better physically alongside my teammates and I have played few matches. I knew that coming to Boca it would be like this. Here you always have to win and we prepared for that."
The emotional intensity of Valencia's performance affected broadcasters covering the match. During one transmission, journalists covering the game became visibly emotional and cried while narrating the third goal and its implications for Boca's advancement.
Valencia had been unavailable for Boca's previous match against San Lorenzo due to squad restrictions on foreign players, but entered the Racing fixture as a key option off the bench. His three-goal performance in 23 minutes secured Boca's place in the Copa Argentina semifinals.