Boca Juniors defeat Barcelona on penalties in Riyadh in match to honour Diego Maradona

Inaugural Maradona Cup contested by two of the late Argentine's former clubs

Boca Juniors captain Marcelo Weigandt is awarded the Maradona Cup trophy following a friendly football match between Barcelona and Boca Juniors as part of the Maradona Cup at the Mrsool Park Stadium in the Saudi capital Riyadh. AFP

Boca Juniors players celebrate the trophy of Maradona Cup after their win over Barcelona at the Marsol Park Stadium, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. AP Photo

Family members of Diego Maradona following the match between Boca Juniors and Barcelona at the Maradona Cup at the Marsol Park Stadium, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. AP Photo

The Maradona Cup is displayed during the match between Barcelona and Boca Juniors at the Mrsool Park Stadium in the Saudi capital Riyadh. AFP

Boca Juniors player Zeballos Oscar celebrates after scoring against Barcelona during the Maradona Cup at the Marsol Park Stadium, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. AP Photo

Boca Juniors players Cristian Pavon scores past Barcelona goalkeeper Neto during the penalty shootout at the Maradona Cup at the Mrsool Park Stadium in the Saudi capital Riyadh. AFP

Fans at the Marsool Park Stadium in Riyadh before kick-off at the Maradona Cup. EPA

Fans at the Marsool Park Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia before kick-off at the Maradona Cup. EPA

Fans at the Marsool Park Stadium in Riyadh before kick-off of the Maradona Cup match between Boca Juniors and Barcelona in tribute to Diego Maradona who passed away in November 2020. EPA

Boca Juniors player Villa Sebastian, left, fights for the ball with Barcelona's Alejandro Balde. AP Photo

Barcelona fans attend a friendly football match between Barcelona and Boca Juniors part of the Maradona Cup at the Mrsool Park Stadium. AFP

Boca Juniors player Luis Vazquez and Barcelona's Brazilian defender Dani Alves vie for the ball. AFP

Barcelona coach Xavi instructs his players during the Maradona Cup at the Mrsool Park Stadium in the Saudi capital Riyadh. AFP

Boca Juniors players celebrate a goal during the Maradona Cup at the Mrsool Park Stadium in the Saudi capital Riyadh. AFP

Boca Juniors player Sebastian Villa vies for the ball with Barcelona defender Alejandro Balde. AFP

Fans cheer ahead of a friendly football match between Barcelona and Boca Juniors as part of the Maradona Cup at the Mrsool Park Stadium in the Saudi capital Riyadh. AFP

Turki al-Sheikh, Chairman of Saudi's General Authority for Entertainment (C) attends the Maradona Cup at the Mrsool Park Stadium in the Saudi capital Riyadh. AFP

General view of the Marsool Park Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia before kick-off of the Maradona Cup. EPA

Boca Juniors defeated Barcelona on penalties in Riyadh on Tuesday night in a match to honour Diego Maradona – a game that also saw the playing return of Dani Alves for the Spanish club.

After the inaugural Maradona Cup had finished 1-1 in normal time at Mrsool Park, Boca goalkeeper Agustin Rossi saved Matheus Pereira’s penalty before Guillem Jaime sent his spot-kick high above the crossbar to hand the trophy to the Argentines. Boca had scored all four of their penalties, prevailing 4-2 in the shootout.

Barcelona had taken the lead on 50 minutes through Ferran Jutgla, only for Boca forward Exequiel Zeballos to level not long afterwards and send the match to the shootout.

The one-off fixture was arranged to celebrate the late Maradona, who died late last year, aged 60. The Argentine, considered one of the greatest footballers in history, represented both clubs during his illustrious playing career.

Maradona played twice for Boca, between 1981 and 1982 and 1995 and 1997. Following the first stint, he joined Barcelona for a world-record $7.6 million, spending two seasons at the Nou Camp before signing for Napoli, for another record fee, $10.5m.

In the build-up to Tuesday’s encounter, Barcelona manager Xavi said Maradona had been his boyhood hero. Maradona, meanwhile, had strong links to the Gulf having managed both Al Wasl and Fujairah in the UAE.

While Barcelona ultimately lost, their fans will no doubt be buoyed by the return of Alves. The hugely decorated Brazil full-back, now 38, rejoined the club last month as a free agent, but is ineligible to appear in competitive matches until the transfer window opens next month.

Alves initially spent eight years at Barcelona from 2008, claiming three Uefa Champions League titles and six La Liga crowns. One of 11 changes to the side that drew in the league with Osasuna on Sunday, Alves was characteristically lively against Boca. He converted his penalty in the shootout.