Independente defeated Boca Juniors 1-0 in the quarterfinals of the Argentinian Apertura tournament on Monday thanks to a second half strike by defender Alvaro Angulo.
Independent, who will play Huracan for a place in the final, struggled in the first half, but came to life in the second with Angulo who sealed the victory with an excellent finish just after the hour at La Bombonera.
While Boca wanted to make a quick break of an independent angle, the Colombian intercepted the ball and ran back in the box before sliding in the defender Ayrton Costa and shot high over the head of the goalkeeper.
Angulo had said before the match that he would score against Boca and would like to make that promise come true.
“A promise is meant to be kept, right?” He told TNT Sports.
“A great goal (I heard) from my teammates, I was not clearly seen in my own excitement.”
Boca had excluded a goal for offside in the 15th minute and wasted a golden chance against the end of the first half when Miguel's Merentiel's hit Cross Carlos Palacios found all alone for the goal, but he somehow missed the tap-in.
The introduction of other Herrera and Edinson Cavani in the second half did little to turn the tide for Boca when frustrated fans made it clear to their dissatisfaction.
“There is a lot of pain … We had two top players from the bank, but we couldn't do it,” Interim Boca coach Mariano Herron told reporters.
Herron had replaced the fired Fernando Gago last month and doubts his future after Boca had not reached the final.
“I take responsibility for the competitions I have coached,” he added. “I don't know if it is a failure, but I have not achieved my goals, namely reaching the final of 1 June.”
Boca is then confronted with Atletico Tucuman in Copa Argentina before they started their club World Cup campaign in the United States.
San Lorenzo also insured a semi-final place after beating Argentinos Juniors with 8-7 on penalties after a 1-1 draw on Monday. They will be confronted on Tuesday with the winner of the quarterfinals between River Plate and Platense.