Rosario Central thought they had secured Argentina’s annual-table title after beating Estudiantes de Rio Cuarto 2-0. With Boca Juniors still goalless against Defensa y Justicia. Celebrations began at the Gigante de Arroyito.
Enner Valencia had other plans. The striker scored in the 96th minute to give Boca a 1-0 victory at La Bombonera and take them to 63 points, one ahead of Rosario Central, who finished second despite winning their final match.
How Boca Won The Title
Boca needed a win over Defensa y Justicia to overtake Rosario Central in the annual standings. With the match still goalless deep into stoppage time, the visitors appeared close to denying them the points.
Valencia, who came on in the 75th minute, changed everything. Lautaro Blanco sent a cross into the penalty area, goalkeeper Matias Borgogno failed to deal with it, and the Colombian striker scored from close range in the 96th minute.
The goal secured Boca’s 1-0 win and lifted them to 63 points. Rosario Central finished on 62, while Argentinos Juniors came third with 60 after losing 2-0 to Huracan.
| Final annual-table positions | Points | Final-day result |
| Boca Juniors | 63 | Beat Defensa y Justicia 1-0 |
| Rosario Central | 62 | Beat Estudiantes de Rio Cuarto 2-0 |
| Argentinos Juniors | 60 | Lost 2-0 to Huracan |
Boca midfielder Leandro Paredes credited his team’s persistence for the late winner.
“I had to believe. I knew we'd attack for as long as the game kept going until the last second,” he said, according to USA Today. “It wasn't luck but consistency, work; we deserved this, and we've done it.”
Why Rosario Central Celebrated Too Early
Rosario Central had reason to believe the annual title was theirs. Their win over Estudiantes de Rio Cuarto took them to 62 points, and a draw for Boca would have left them top of the standings.
Argentina’s Tabla Anual combines points earned during the regular phases of the Apertura and Clausura competitions. It is separate from the Clausura playoffs, so Rosario could win their final league match and still lose the annual title if Boca collected all three points.
The confusion began when Rosario’s match ended, and supporters believed Boca had failed to win. Fans streamed onto the pitch, joining players in celebrations as chants of “somos bicampeones” filled the stadium.
Valencia’s late goal had already changed the standings, but the news had not reached everyone in Rosario. The celebrations continued briefly before the true result became clear.
Rosario Central manager Jorge Almiron later acknowledged the misunderstanding.
“We got confused. We celebrated early because we got carried away by the people,” he said.
The mood quickly shifted as players and supporters realised they had finished a point behind Boca. Both clubs secured direct qualification for the 2027 Copa Libertadores group stage, while third-placed Argentinos Juniors must go through the preliminary rounds.
For Boca, Valencia’s finish delivered their first Tabla Anual title under president Juan Roman Riquelme and ended a wait of more than three years for a major trophy.
Rosario Central’s disappointment was particularly painful. They had won their final match, only for a 96th-minute goal at La Bombonera to take the title away.
