Boca Juniors Equalizes Against Instituto Through Valencia at Kempes

Boca Juniors came from behind to draw level with Instituto during their Argentine league encounter at Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium in Córdoba on Friday, October 9, 2026. Enner Valencia scored the equalizer after a costly mistake by Instituto goalkeeper Marcos Ledesma, responding to Fernando Alarcón's goal for the home side, according to Elonce. The match carried significance for Boca's position in its league group and the overall annual standings.

According to Elonce, the team coached by Rodolfo Arruabarrena was also preparing for its next stage in the Copa Sudamericana. Instituto had taken the lead when Alarcón collected a rebound and struck powerfully past Colombian goalkeeper Álvaro Montero. Boca subsequently found its equalizer through Valencia, who took advantage of an error by Ledesma to make it 1-1, Elonce reported.

Boca threatened early in the match. Valencia anticipated the defenders to meet a cross, but his attempt went wide, according to the match coverage published by Elonce.

Montero also intervened to deny Instituto another opportunity. The Boca goalkeeper pushed Giuliano Cerato's angled effort from inside the penalty area behind for a corner, preventing the home side from adding to its score. At the 21-minute mark, Instituto midfielder Gustavo Abregú became the first player booked in the match. The central midfielder received a yellow card for a foul on Sebastián Villa near the home side's penalty area, according to Elonce.

Instituto coach Diego Flores selected Marcos Ledesma in goal, with Giuliano Cerato, Fernando Alarcón, Leonel Mosevich, Jonathan Galván, and Diego Sosa in defense. Gustavo Abregú and Matías Gallardo occupied midfield, while Jeremías Lázaro, Matías Tissera, and Alex Luna formed the attacking line. Arruabarrena named Álvaro Montero as Boca's goalkeeper, behind defenders Malcom Braida, Lautaro Di Lollo, Marco Pellegrino, and Lautaro Blanco. Williams Alarcón, Milton Delgado, and Carlos Palacios made up the midfield, with Leonel Flores, Enner Valencia, and Sebastián Villa leading the attack.

The confirmed lineup placed Valencia at the center of Boca's response after Instituto moved ahead. His equalizer restored parity in a match that offered both teams opportunities to score at Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium.