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Reuters
Reuters
Sport

Boca beat Banfield in shootout to win inaugural Maradona Cup

Soccer Football - Copa Diego Maradona - Final - Boca Juniors v Banfield - Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario, San Juan, Argentina - January 17, 2021 Boca Juniors players celebrate with the trophy Pool via REUTERS/Andres Larrovere

Boca Juniors won Argentina's inaugural Diego Armando Maradona Cup 5-3 in a shootout on Sunday after Banfield had scored deep in stoppage time to level the match at 1-1.

The tournament, which was renamed to honour the Argentine great after he passed away in November, kicked off in October as football returned following a seven-month hiatus due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

A rock band comprising former professional footballers played live on the pitch before kick off and the stadium was lit up with fireworks and a light show featuring images and quotes from the charismatic former Boca Juniors striker.

Soccer Football - Copa Diego Maradona - Final - Boca Juniors v Banfield - Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario, San Juan, Argentina - January 17, 2021 Boca Juniors' Julio Buffarini with teammates celebrate after the match Pool via REUTERS/Andres Larrovere

"This cup is a tribute to Diego, and he'll surely be accompanying our celebrations," Boca's Ramon Abila said after the game.

After a tepid first 45 minutes at the San Juan del Bicentenario stadium, Boca took the lead with a spectacular strike from Edwin Carmona 19 minutes into the second half.

However, Luciano Lollo equalised in the sixth minute of stoppage time for Banfield, just moments after Boca had Emmanuel Mas sent off.

Soccer Football - Copa Diego Maradona - Final - Boca Juniors v Banfield - Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario, San Juan, Argentina - January 17, 2021 Banfield's Alexis Maldonado in action with Boca Juniors' Mauro Zarate Pool via REUTERS/Andres Larrovere

Boca, who last recorded a victory on Dec. 27, converted all five of their spot kicks while Jorge Rodriguez missed for Banfield.

Boca's Cup win came after a disappointing midweek defeat to Santos saw them knocked out of the Copa Libertadores, the South American equivalent of the Champions League, at the semi-final stage.

Soccer Football - Copa Diego Maradona - Final - Boca Juniors v Banfield - Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario, San Juan, Argentina - January 17, 2021 Boca Juniors' Carlos Tevez and teammates celebrate with the trophy Pool via REUTERS/Andres Larrovere

(Reporting by Ramiro Scandolo; writing by Andrew Downie in London;Editing by Peter Rutherford)

Soccer Football - Copa Diego Maradona - Final - Boca Juniors v Banfield - Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario, San Juan, Argentina - January 17, 2021 Boca Juniors' Carlos Zambrano in action with Banfield's Agustin Fontana Pool via REUTERS/Andres Larrovere
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