Copa Libertadores Femenina Opens With a Tactical Clash
The Copa Libertadores Femenina kicks off with a tactical duel between Alianza Lima and Boca Juniors at the Estadio Nuevo Francisco Urbano. The match, described in the lead-up as a combative affair, features a midfield battle where space is scarce and neither side has yet opened the scoring. Expect a carefully organized approach from Alianza Lima, waiting for a lapse from the favored Boca Juniors to spring on the counter. The clash will be broadcast exclusively on Pluto TV across Latin America, with live minute-by-minute updates available on Depor’s website for fans following the action in real time.
A Look at the Teams: Form, Depth and X-Factors
Boca Juniors arrives with a lineup replete with talent and a clear mandate to protect home influences and press the play. The Argentines were runners-up in the Copa Libertadores and currently sit near the top of their domestic league, underscoring a balance of firepower and discipline. Key pieces include goalkeeper Laurina Oliveros and midfield/defensive anchors like Julieta Cruz and Andrea Ojeda, with new signings aimed at boosting their continental ambitions. The squad carries the weight of expectations as they seek to translate domestic strength into Libertadores success.
Alianza Lima, meanwhile, arrives buoyed by recent domestic triumphs. After clinching the Apertura and maintaining leadership in the Clausura early in 2025, the Peruvian side under coach Jose Letelier is intent on repeating or surpassing their 2021 Libertadores run to the quarterfinals. The team combines solid organization with dangerous counters. Notable players include Adriana Lúcar, Sandy Dorador and Annaysa Silva, complemented by foreign additions Diana Borges (Cape-Verdean-Portuguese profile) and Karol Lins, who arrive to add width and finishing touches up front.
Both teams are placed in a challenging group that’s been described as one of the competition’s “groups of death,” featuring Ferroviária (Brazil) and ADIFFEM (Venezuela) alongside Boca. The early head-to-head will set the tone for the rest of the group stage and could determine who advances to the knockout rounds.
Kickoff Details and How to Watch
The match is scheduled for Thursday, October 2, with kickoff times aligned to various regional time zones: 2:00 p.m. in Peru, Ecuador and Colombia; 4:00 p.m. in Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, and Paraguay; 3:00 p.m. in Venezuela, Chile and Bolivia; 1:00 p.m. in Mexico; and 9:00 p.m. in Spain. The game will be played at the Estadio Nuevo Francisco Urbano, and fans can watch exclusively on Pluto TV for Latin America. For those following live, Depor will provide minute-by-minute coverage and updates throughout the match.
What to Watch For: Tactics, Pace and Key Duels
Early play is expected to center on midfield battles where neither side concedes space easily. Boca’s ability to press and exploit half-spaces could test Alianza Lima’s defensive compactness, while Alianza’s pace in wide areas and swift counters will probe Boca’s backline. The battle in the center circle, set-piece discipline, and the efficiency of finishing touches in the final third will likely decide this opening Group D encounter. Watch for how Boca handles the pace of Alianza’s forwards and whether the Peruvian side can press high enough to disrupt Boca’s buildup from the back.
Quotes and Sentiment Ahead of Kickoff
Sisy Quiroz, head of women’s football at Alianza Lima, emphasized on their mission: “Our objective is to reach the highest stages possible. We want to keep lifting the Alianza Lima shield as high as we can, and we’re working to achieve that.” The message from both camps is clear: this tournament is a proving ground for aspirations that extend well beyond regional glory.
Why This Match Matters in the Libertadores Context
Alianza Lima enters with 30 points in the domestic Clausura, outpacing Universitario and signaling strong form heading into Libertadores. Boca, with 17 points in the Argentine league phase, is also riding momentum and aiming to translate domestic consistency into continental success. The clash represents not only a battle for three points but a statement about each club’s capacity to compete against South America’s best on the parkier stage of the Libertadores Femenina.
Bottom Line
As the ball is kicked in Mendoza’s venue, fans will witness a study in contrasts: Boca’s technical flair versus Alianza Lima’s disciplined structure. Either side could seize control and set the tone for the group, and with Pluto TV’s exclusive coverage in Latin America, supporters have a direct route to watch a marquee showdown that could shape the Libertadores’ early narrative.
