Argentinos Juniors faced a disappointing exit from the Copa Libertadores, being eliminated in the second qualifying phase after losing to Ecuador's Barcelona in a tense penalty shootout. Despite winning the first leg 1-0 in Guayaquil, the team couldn't maintain their advantage and lost the return match 1-0 at home, resulting in the tie going to penalties where they fell short, losing 4-5.

The match held at the iconic Diego Maradona Stadium saw a spirited performance from Argentinos who had the opportunity to progress to the Copa Sudamericana; however, their failure to convert crucial chances in both the gameplay and the penalty shootout has left them without any international competition for the remainder of the season. This marks a particularly frustrating chapter for the club, which had shown promise in the earlier leg.

The inability to succeed in penalty shootouts has become a troubling trend for Argentinos Juniors, establishing a pattern of missed opportunities in high-stakes scenarios. As they conclude their Libertadores campaign, the focus will now shift towards rebuilding and addressing the shortcomings that led to this abrupt end in their quest for continental glory.